Wheat Quality Council Tour Sees Highest Yield in 7 Years

While the U.S. spring wheat crop remains behind average in crop development, the recent warmer temperatures have pushed the crop along in maturity to some extent. The majority of the crop has now headed out and some is starting to turn color and mature. In North Dakota about a third has started to turn color, well behind the average of 75%, and 4% is mature, compared to 21% on average. In South Dakota, harvest of the spring wheat crop is underway with about a fourth of the acreage harvested according to the most recent USDA Crop Progress report.

Crop condition ratings increased this week with 70% of the U.S. spring wheat crop rated in good to excellent condition. Condition ratings remain highest in North Dakota and Minnesota where growing conditions and moisture have been good throughout the growing season. Eighty to 82% of the spring wheat in those two states is rated in good to excellent condition. Overall the crop looks to be in good condition, but various factors including heat, insects, and disease pressure have put stress on the crop. The Wheat Quality Council conducted its annual spring wheat tour in North Dakota and portions of Minnesota last week. The tour came up with an average yield of 49 bushels per acre, the highest the tour has seen in seven years, but about two bushels lower than the current USDA estimate. Much of the North Dakota crop is two- to six-weeks away from harvest.

The North Dakota durum crop remains in good condition, although disease pressures have been a concern in recent weeks. The most recent USDA Crop Progress report shows 84% of the state's durum rated in good to excellent condition, slightly lower than a week ago. Development remains behind average. About 93% of the crop has now headed out and 17% is turning color, well behind the average of 61%. The Wheat Quality Council tour last week did scout some durum fields finding an average yield of 39 bushels per acre, similar to the current USDA estimate. Harvest is still weeks away and producers are hopeful for good weather the remainder of the growing season.