North Dakota Ag Connection - Spring Wheat Crop 2-3 Weeks Ahead of Average

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Spring Wheat Crop 2-3 Weeks Ahead of Average
North Dakota Ag Connection - 06/29/2016

The majority of the U.S. spring wheat crop is about 2-3 weeks ahead of average in crop development. Fifty-six percent of the crop has headed out, nearly double the average pace. In Minnesota and South Dakota, over 70 percent of the spring wheat has headed out. In North Dakota 60 percent has headed out, compared to only 23 percent on average. In Montana 25 percent has headed out. Much of the region has received precipitation over the last couple of weeks, replenishing soil moisture conditions. A few isolated areas remain dry and could use more moisture, while a few other areas have received surplus moisture.

Overall the crop condition ratings remain high. Seventy-two percent of the U.S. spring wheat crop is rated in good to excellent condition, right on par with last year's rating, but a bit lower than last week when 76 percent was rated good to excellent. Producers are busy monitoring fields for disease pressure and applying fungicide as needed.

In North Dakota, nearly half of the durum has headed out, compared to just 19 percent last year. Producers are reporting mostly good crop conditions with 76 percent of the crop rated in good to excellent condition. The northwest durum producing region has received fairly good precipitation, but producers in the southwest portion of the state report dry conditions. In Montana about 8 percent of the durum has headed out compared to 10 percent last year. Just over half the crop is rated in good to excellent condition with another 43 percent in fair condition.

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