USDA reports that in late April, spring wheat planting had topped 43% in the six-state production area that raises 99% of the spring wheat. That compared to 14% planted at the same time last year and an average rate of 27%. About 9% of the spring wheat had emerged, compared to about 2% in 2009.
Of the spring wheat states, Minnesota was the furthest along, with 87% planted, followed by Washington at 86%, South Dakota at 65%, Idaho at 48%, Montana at 36% and North Dakota at 25%.
For winter wheat, crop conditions were looking good across much of the production area. They included Arizona, 36% good and 6% excellent; California, 20% good and 75% excellent; Colorado, 58% good and 22% excellent; Idaho, 76% good and 16% excellent; Illinois, 28% good and 3% excellent; Indiana, 59% good and 12% excellent; Kansas, 59% good and 14% excellent; Michigan, 61% good and 15% excellent; and Missouri, 31% good and 5% excellent.
Also, Montana, 54% good and 6% excellent; Nebraska, 67% good and 7% excellent; North Carolina, 41% good and 4% excellent; Ohio, 57% good and 19% excellent; Oklahoma, 59% good and 19% excellent; Oregon, 43% good and 11% excellent; South Dakota, 63% good and 16% excellent; Texas, 46% good and 13% excellent; and Washington, 55% good and 14% excellent. Nationally, 55% was good and 14% excellent.