Delayed a day, the first USDA Crop Progress Report released Tuesday shows that the 2014 winter wheat crop is hurting, with 29% of the crop is rated very poor to poor.
Texas is faring the worst with 61% of its winter wheat crop at poor and very poor. Oklahoma is doing a little better with 41% rated poor and very poor. About a quarter of the Kansas crop is rated poor and very poor; and in Colorado 33% is at that level. The open winter has taken its toll on this year's crop.
Yield potential dropped 8.2 bpa in Michigan, 12.9 bpa in Ohio and 6 bpa in Indiana, on top of declines already noted in Illinois in monthly reports. The white wheat crop also suffered, with yields in Washington off 10.2 bpa, on top of smaller declines in Oregon and Idaho.
Overall, yield potential dropped 5.1 bpa nationwide, close to the projection made earlier from state reports.
The updated ratings suggest a total winter wheat crop of between 1.45 billion and 1.54 billion bushels. USDA’s national ranks continue to show higher yields than the state-by-state totals.
It's too early for the latest USDA data to have any news on corn and soybean crop progress, but in addition to winter wheat, cotton, sorghum and rice are included.
USDA reports that 6% of the cotton crop has been planted, which is in line with the five-year average. California is well ahead of average, more likely due to lack of rain, with 30% of the cotton crop in the ground. Only Arizona (31%) and Virginia (10%) have reported planting progress in this first report.
About 11% of the sorghum crop is in the ground, which is behind the 17% five-year average. Of states reporting acres planted, Arkansas is at 2% - normally 17%; Louisiana at 5% - normally 40% and Texas at 30% - normally 44%. Weather has conspired against planters across the country.
Rice planting has hit 15%, lagging a bit behind the 19% five-year average. Louisiana is near its 56% average with 55% of the crop in the ground. The rest are behind too with Arkansas at 2% - normally 14%; Mississippi at 6% - normally at 11%; Missouri at 2% - normally at 9% and Texas at 39% - normally at 56%.