date:Oct 11, 2012
The winter-wheat crop, grown in the Midwest and Great Plains, was 57 percent planted as of Oct. 7. That compares with 40 percent a week earlier and 59 percent, on average, from 2007 to 2011. About 23 percent of the plants had emerged, compared with 12 percent a week earlier and the previous five-year average of 30 percent. The crop goes dormant over the winter until about March, and is harvested starting in May.
Rains the past week from Arkansas to Ohio improved soil moisture for planting, Al