USDA Report Forecasts Smallest Nebraska Wheat Crop Since 1944
Nebraska could experience its smallest wheat crop since 1944 according to a recent USDA forecast
According to a recent USDA crop report, Nebraska is on track to harvest just 42.9 million bushels of wheat this summer, which would be the state’s smallest wheat crop since 1944. If this forecast holds true, this year’s crop would be 20% less than 2012’s 53.3 million bushels.
Lingering drought conditions in the panhandle and southwest region of the state, as well as state-wide poor wheat conditions are likely responsible for the low forecast. Federal analysts rated 16% of Nebraska’s wheat crop “very poor,” 33% “poor,” 39% “fair,” and just 12% “good” in recent findings. Zero percent of Nebraska’s wheat was rated “excellent.”
In addition to poor quality wheat and lingering drought conditions, Royce Schaneman with the Nebraska Wheat Board believes those that are worried about the record-low forecast should look to a large drop in state-wide wheat acres, as over the years, more farmers have turned to planting corn and soybeans. However, he still acknowledges wheat conditions in 2013 are poor. “If all our growing conditions were optimal from this point forward, I'd say we'd probably produce an average crop or average yields,” he said. “But a lot of things can happen between now and harvest, and most of those are not good.”
Drought conditions have been affecting crop planting and harvest numbers across most of the Midwest, and Nebraska’s wheat seems to be facing the brunt of it. If the USDA’s forecast holds, wheat production in Nebraska will unfortunately be near all-time lows.