In its most recent Crop Progress report, USDA said that 2% of the country’s winter wheat crop had been planted as of the week ending September 1. In one state, almost a quarter of the crop is in the ground.
Winter wheat planting has begun in eight of the 18 top growing states. Here’s a closer look at the numbers:
Washington
According to UDSA’s Acreage report published on June 28, 1.85 million acres of winter wheat were planted in Washington last fall.
As for this season, Washington leads the country in winter wheat planting progress with almost a quarter of the crop planted.
Thanks to 6.8 days suitable for fieldwork, Washington’s winter wheat planting surged to 22% the week ending September 1. That’s up from 8% the previous week, and significantly ahead of 8% last year and the five-year average of 15%.
Colorado
In Colorado, 2.1 million acres of winter wheat were planted in the fall of 2023.
The state ranks second for winter wheat planted this season. USDA said that 7% of Colorado’s winter wheat had been planted as of September 1, up from 2% the previous week and 1% last year. The state is on par with the five-year average of 7%.
South Dakota
In the fall of last year, South Dakota farmers planted 870,000 acres of winter wheat.
South Dakota rounds out the top three states for winter wheat planting. Five percent of the state’s crop for this season had been planted the week ending September 1. That’s just below 6% a year ago but ahead of the five-year average of 2%.
Idaho
USDA said in its Acreage report that 750,000 acres of winter wheat were planted by the Idaho farmers last season.
As of September 1, 4% of Idaho’s winter wheat had been planted, up from 1% the week prior. Just 1% of the state’s winter wheat crop had been planted a year ago, and the five-year average is 2%.
Kansas
Kansas farmers planted 7.7 million acres of winter wheat in the fall of 2023.
As for this season, 1% of the crop had been planted by September 1, the same as last year at this time. The five-year average is 0%.
Montana
In Montana last season, growers planted 1.95 million acres of winter wheat.
As of September 1, 1% of this season’s winter wheat crop had been planted, on par with a year ago. That’s just below the five-year average of 2%.
Nebraska
One million acres of winter wheat were planted in Nebraska last year.
As for this season, Syngenta Agronomist Travis Gustafson, who covers central and western Nebraska, said, “Hot and dry describes the weather pattern across Nebraska for the end of August.”
Those conditions allowed Nebraska farmers to get 1% of this season’s winter wheat in the ground by September 1, which is on par with last year’s 1% and the five-year average of 1%.
Oregon
USDA said that Oregon farmers planted 730,000 acres of winter wheat in the fall of 2023.
One percent of the state’s winter wheat was in the ground by September 1, up from 0% the week prior. That’s just ahead of 0% last year but lagging behind the five-year average of 3%.
EDITOR’S TAKE:
It is good to see that these top wheat producing states are getting a running start at planting next year’s crop. It will be interesting to see if the total acreage of winter wheat declines due to lower prices. Those estimates will not be out for a little while, but we will for sure take a close look and let you know if there are any surprises. Speaking of surprises – did you hear about the big reveal of the new truck from Fox Factory offered exclusively through the Certified Ag Group through CAD members who are 3.0 members at the Medium or Heavy Duty levels. Contact a member of our CAG team for more details.
