The condition of the US winter wheat crop took a step back for the second straight week, while the season’s first rating for the spring wheat crop was underwhelming.
Monday’s USDA crop progress report showed the national winter wheat crop at 50% good to excellent as of Sunday, down 2 points from a week earlier and now 4 points lower over the past two weeks.
Meanwhile, the spring wheat crop was rated just 45% good to excellent, with relatively poor ratings for the Montana and North Dakota crops pulling down the national average.
Last year’s first condition rating for the spring wheat crop was not released until June 3, coming in at 74% good to excellent.