US Winter Wheat Rating Dips Slightly; Development Ahead of Normal

The condition of the US winter wheat crop took an unexpected step backward this past week. Development remains well ahead of normal.

Tuesday’s USDA crop progress report pegged the nationwide winter wheat crop at 48% good to excellent as of Sunday, down a single point from a week earlier, although still well above 34% at this time a year ago. Going into the report, most analysts expected a steady crop rating compared to last week.

In the top production state of Kansas, the condition of the crop was down 1point from a week earlier to 32% good to excellent. However, the condition of the Oklahoma crop improved 2 points, to 53% good to excellent.

The condition of the Soft Red Winter Ohio crop was rated 72% good to excellent as of Sunday, down 1 point from the previous week, while the Michigan crop was rated 73% good to excellent, up 1 point on the week.

Across the country, 77% of the winter wheat crop had headed as of Sunday, versus 69% the previous week and last year and 69% on average.

The Kansas crop was 94% headed as of Sunday, versus 86% on average.

In Ohio, 88% of the crop was already heading as of Sunday, up from 70% a week earlier and far ahead of last year and the five-year average at 61% and 52%, respectively.

As for Michigan, 56% of the crop was heading as of Sunday, compared to just 21% a week earlier, 22 last year and 15% on average.