North Dakota Ag Connection - U.S. Spring Wheat Harvest Begins

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U.S. Spring Wheat Harvest Begins
North Dakota Ag Connection - 07/27/2016

Harvest of the U.S. spring wheat crop has begun. In South Dakota, nearly 20 percent of the crop has been harvested compared to 14 percent on average and one percent at this time last year. Producers in North Dakota and Minnesota began harvesting over the weekend. Recent precipitation and humid conditions have been limiting factors for harvest progress as the conditions do not allow fields to dry out very quickly. Yield and protein reports have been sporadic and variable across the region.

Crop condition ratings declined this week with 68 percent of the U.S. spring wheat crop rated in good to excellent condition, down one percentage point from last week. While overall crop conditions have been favorable with promising yield potential, adverse weather has affected areas of the production region. Some areas of the region received storm damage over the last week, including hail damage. Also, producers in some areas of North Dakota and South Dakota that were extremely dry during the growing season have chosen not to harvest extremely low yielding fields and will instead use for grazing or hay.

Durum crop development continues to be above average, aided by warmer than normal temperatures. In North Dakota, 95 percent of the durum has headed out, compared to 87 percent on average. Over half of the crop is turning color, compared with 23 percent on average. Crop ratings remain high with 87 percent of the North Dakota durum rated in good to excellent condition. In Montana 93 percent of the crop has headed out and 23 percent is turning color, both ahead of average values. Just over half of the crop is rated in good to excellent condition with an additional 44 percent rated in fair condition.

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