Massive Drop in Winter Wheat Area

WASHINGTON - Jan 12/10 - SNS -- Winter wheat seedings in the United States plunged 14% from last year to 37.1 million acres, their lowest level since 1913, according to the USDA.

Seeding began last August and by mid-September was behind the 5-year average. The late row crop harvest and wet weather delayed planting in most States. The winter wheat crop condition at the end of November was rated 64% good to excellent compared with 65% the previous year.

Hard Red Winter (HRW) wheat seeded area is about 27.8 million acres, down 12% from 2009. Poor weather, low prices, and the late row crop harvest contributed to the decrease. Acreage is expected to be below last year's level in most States in the HRW growing area, with a record low in Nebraska. The largest acreage decreases are in Kansas, Montana, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Winter wheat seeded in Kansas is down 700,000 acres, 8% below 2009 and the lowest planted acres since 1957. Montana is down 550,000 acres, 22% below 2009 and the third largest decrease on record. Winter wheat in Oklahoma is expected to be down 500,000 acres, the lowest acreage since 1971. Acreage in Texas is down 1.00 million acres, the fourth largest decrease on record and lowest planted area since 1973.

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