Winter Wheat Crop Larger Than Expected

The U.S. winter wheat harvest that has begun in Texas and Oklahoma is benefiting from good moisture and weather, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Thursday.

The department projected the winter wheat crop, which accounts for three-fourths of all U.S. production, at 1.6 billion bushels. That’s up 3 percent from last month’s forecast and 8 percent larger than the drought-damaged crop of 1.48 billion bushels in 1996.

However, white winter wheat, which Pacific Northwest farmers prefer to grow, was estimated at 260 million bushels, down from 293.6 million bushels a year ago.

Winter wheat is seeded in the fall and harvested the following year.

Despite the increase in the winter wheat forecast, the overall wheat crop for the year is expected to be smaller because of less spring-planted wheat. Total production is projected to be 2.3 billion bushels, 1 percent less than the previous year.

The department said prices for all wheat are expected to be lower. , DataTimes