HRSW Progress Remains Above Average

By CnAgri2012-06-28 19:55:26 Print

The condition ratings of the US hard red spring wheat crop remained at 77 percent good to excellent as of Monday, steady with the previous week's 76 percent and above last year when 69 percent was rated good to excellent. Crop ratings remain the highest in North Dakota with 89 percent good to excellent and the lowest in Montana at 61 percent. For most areas, favorable weather conditions last week allowed crop progress to advance and supported stable crop ratings. However, some production regions are beginning to show increasing levels of crop stress due to above average temperatures and below normal precipitation. This week, forecasts for well above average to hot temps, with limited chances for precipitation will likely expand stressed areas and heighten stress on previously stressed crops. The drier conditions should be favorable for lessening crop disease pressures in other parts of the region however.

Crop progress remains well ahead of normal, with 57 percent headed, up from 33 percent last week and the more typical 18 percent by the last week in June. By state, South Dakota and Minnesota are most advanced with 96 and 93 percent headed, respectively. In South Dakota 17 percent of the crop is already turning color. In North Dakota, 60 percent of the crop has headed with only 16 percent in Montana. Herbicide spraying is generally complete across the region with producers now monitoring disease pressures, crop development stage and weather conditions to determine if additional fungicide treatments will be needed. A more frequent moisture pattern and somewhat cooler temperatures would be welcomed across most areas of the region. Top soil moisture is rated 51 percent short to very short in South Dakota, 36 percent in Montana and around 20 to 25 percent in North Dakota and Minnesota.

The North Dakota and Montana durum crops held steady in condition ratings the week of June 18-24, with 92 and 74 percent rated good to excellent, respectively. At this time, moisture stress on the crop has been minimal for most areas, but this weeks 95 plus temps and limited rain chances may expand crop stress. Development remains well ahead of normal with 33 percent headed in North Dakota and 10 percent in Montana, and the remaining one-half of the crop in each state already in the boot stage.