One-third of the land growing winter wheat is in drought territory, triple the portion that was affected two months ago, says USDA’s Ag in Drought report. Dry conditions are a threat to establishment — and potential yields — of the crop, which is planted in the fall, lies dormant during the winter and is harvested in the spring.
Last weekend’s cold wave added to the risks facing the crop. Frigid weather can kill wheat plants without snow cover or with limited root development. Soil can protect wheat roots from freezing but dry soil does not provide as much protection. Kansas farmer Rick Horton told DTN, “Our wheat looks really good but there’s no secondary root development yet.”
USDA says drought affects 36 percent of winter wheat in Kansas, the No. 1 state; 62 percent of winter wheat in Oklahoma; 58 percent in Colorado; and 42 percent in Nebraska. The four states grow 37 percent of the U.S. winter wheat crop in an average year. Winter wheat is using in baking bread.