HRSW Region Continues to Endure Harsh Weather

By CnAgri2012-07-19 19:32:23 Print

The US Hard Red Spring wheat region continues to endure well above average normal temperatures and below normal precipitation. These conditions are stressing crops across much of the region, and most areas would welcome a significant shot of precipitation, especially where crops are not yet harvest ready. Surprisingly overall crop condition ratings held mostly steady with the previous week at 65 percent good to excellent, compared to 66 percent, but trending below last year's rating of 73 percent good to excellent.

The HRS crop is now more than 90 percent headed, and harvest is already 12 percent complete in South Dakota and 1 percent in both Minnesota and North Dakota. Montana's crop is the latest in maturity with about 78 percent headed, but still well ahead of normal. Given current weather patterns and forecasts for continued above normal temperatures, harvest is expected to accelerate in the next week to ten days over the southern and eastern portions of the four-state region.

Topsoil moisture supplies continue to fall in most areas, and producers are concerned about the extent of yield loss from the extended hot, dry pattern. The advanced maturity of the crop and good subsoil moisture at the start of the season are positive offsets to the hot, dry weather, and they have helped to hold strong ratings in most areas, but many producers expect that the recent conditions have reduced early season yield potentials.

The durum crop in North Dakota slipped in condition ratings this past week, falling to 66 percent good to excellent, compared to 83 percent. Hot temperatures and limited precipitation impacted the crop. In Montana, the durum crop is rated 76 percent good to excellent, up a bit from last week. Maturity of the crop in both states remains well ahead of normal with 95 percent headed in North Dakota and 17 percent of the crop turning ripe. In Montana, 79 percent has headed and 5 percent is turning ripe. The crop in both states would benefit from additional precipitation.