Winter Wheat Condition Rating Exceeds Expectations, Spring Wheat Planting Nears Halfway Mark

The condition of the US winter wheat crop improved again this past week, while national spring wheat planting continued to advance well ahead of the average pace. 

According to Monday’s USDA crop progress report, 51% of the American winter wheat crop was in good to excellent condition as of Sunday, up 2 points from a week earlier and 1 point higher than the average pre-report trade guess. With the latest improvement – due to much-needed wetter southern Plains weather - the condition of the winter wheat crop has now gained 6 points over the previous two weeks and sits 1 point higher than last year at this time. 

Meanwhile, US spring wheat planting jumped 14 points from a week earlier to reach 44% complete as of Sunday. That is 10 points ahead of the five-year average pace, although still 1 point behind last year. 

In the No. 1 production state of Kansas, the condition of the winter wheat crop held steady from a week earlier at 47% good to excellent as of Sunday, following a 6-point improvement the previous week. The Oklahoma crop improved 4 points to 48% good to excellent as of Sunday and has now improved 9 points over the past two weeks. 

After a 7-point fall the previous week, the condition of the Michigan Soft Red Winter crop slipped another single point lower to 57% good to excellent as of Sunday. On the other hand, the Ohio winter wheat rating held steady at 61% good to excellent for the second straight week. 

An estimated 39% of the US winter wheat crop had reached the heading stage as of Sunday, up from 27% a week earlier and 6 points ahead of average but still 2 points behind last year.