Dry Conditions Slow Winter Wheat Planting

USDA says planting delays are showing up in parts of the Great Plains and Northwest.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD News) — Dry conditions are slowing winter wheat planting in parts of the country.

USDA’s Brad Rippey says several states are running behind their normal planting pace.

“There are some significant delays in a few spots, notably Colorado coming in this week at 15% planted, but that is quite a bit behind the five-year average of 25% planted. Another state coming in this week with some initial slow planting progress is Nebraska at 5% planted, with the five-year average at 15%. Also in the Northwest, Washington state is 33% planted. That leads the nation, but is still behind the five-year average of 42%.”

Rippey says he will continue monitoring drought conditions, with particular attention on the Great Plains in the coming weeks.

Related Stories
Stored-grain insects can reduce grain mass by 2% to 3% in 30 days. Central Life Sciences Expert John Mays explains how bin preparation can help protect stored corn.
Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council, discussed the USDA funding and its potential value for potato growers and the broader specialty crop industry.
Weather and production challenges are creating uncertainty around two key ingredients.
Ison’s Nursery and Vineyard has been growing muscadines for more than 90 years.
Some dryland fields are being lost after months of challenging weather.
Stronger export and crush demand could help offset pressure from USDA’s record yield forecast.

Knoxville native Neal Burnette-Irwin is a graduate from MTSU where he majored in Journalism and Entertainment Studies. He works as a digital content producer with RFD News and is represented by multiple talent agencies in Nashville and Chicago.


LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Early detection can lead to a five-year survival rate of more than 99%.
Livestock shows and FFA exhibits give visitors an up-close look at the state’s agriculture industry.
Spending declined overall in 2025, though WIC and child nutrition programs increased.
Disruptions in Russia and the Middle East cut diesel exports by 1.3 million barrels a day last month.
Fausett Farms has become a seasonal agritourism destination.
Reduced yields have some producers considering rotating their alfalfa fields.
More than 25,000 visitors head to Pumpkin Hollow each year for fall activities.
The expansion comes as Washington confirms bird flu in dairy cattle for the first time.
Analysts say it could be two years before measurable herd growth is seen.
GasBuddy’s Patrick De Haan says details remain unclear on how the proposed shipments would work.
USDA found more bushels in this year’s crop as harvest gets underway.
Cade Fiske shares how his time in FFA shaped his path to becoming an agriculture teacher.
Agriculture Shows
Agriculture is the most important industry in the world, and Ag PhD Daily brings you the information you need to best manage your business only on RFD-TV and RFD+
Hosted by Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady and RFD News Markets Specialist Tony St. James, Commodity Talk delivers expert insight into the day’s ag commodity markets just before the CME opens. Only on RFD-TV and Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.
A look at the news, weather and commodities headlines that drove agriculture markets in the past week.