Spring Wheat Samples Show Fairly Consistent Quality

By CnAgri2012-09-07 19:39:49 Print

Spring wheat harvest is pretty much wrapped up across the region, with the exception of Montana which reports that 83 percent of the crop has been harvested. Analysis of crop quality samples continues to show fairly consistent quality from week to week. With just over 80 percent of the samples analyzed, average protein remains at 14.6 percent and average test weight is 60.9 pounds per bushel (80.1 kg/hl).

Thousand kernel weight dropped slightly this week to 29.4 grams. Total defects remain at 1.1 percent, with all of those being shrunken and broken kernels. Vitreous kernel content this week dropped from 75 to 74 percent which puts the crop at a No. 1 Northern Spring.

Durum harvest is 92 percent complete in North Dakota and 91 percent complete in Montana. Last year at this time only about a fourth of the crop had been harvested and the five-year average is less than 50 percent. Just over half of the crop quality samples have been analyzed indicating an average protein of 14.8 percent and test weight of 60 pounds per bushel (78.2 kg/hl), both of which are higher than last year's final values. Thousand kernel weight is averaging 34.9 grams, slightly lower than last week and last year. Vitreous kernel content increased slightly this week to 83 percent, but is lower than average. Total defects are 1.4 percent, with 1.2 percent being shrunken and broken kernels. The crop currently grades a No. 1 Hard Amber Durum.