06/13/05 Washington 3rd in winter wheat

Washington Ag June 13, 2005 Based on conditions as of June 1st, Washington's 2005 winter wheat crop is expected to total just under 128 million bushels, over ten million bushels more than last year. That puts the state third in the nation in winter wheat production behind only Kansas and Oklahoma. Compared to a forecast made in May, the Washington Agricultural Statistics Service says winter wheat yields are now expected to average a bushel more at 69 bushels an acre, two more than in 2004. Spring rains improved prospects and Washington State University winter wheat breeder Steve Jones says some areas got a lot of moisture real quick. Jones: "It is looking a little mangy in some of the higher rainfall areas. It is growing a little too much right now. The Pullman-Colton area they have had about nine inches of rain in the past six weeks. That is a lot of water after being so dry. Many areas of the state had pretty good stands. Pretty good emergence. It was stressed until April in many parts of the state. The rain really came on and it hit most areas. There are still a few dry spots, Kahlotus, Connell. Even Lind didn't benefit from let's say Ritzville and points west, east and north from there. So it is a little hit and miss, but overall I'd say the crop looks very good right now." I'm Bob Hoff.