MANDAN, N.D. — The last week brought more hot temperatures and only scattered precipitation. Producers continue to express concerns about crop development and grain fill during hot, dry conditions. The start of the current week brought cooler temperatures and some precipitation which will help stabilize conditions to an extent. In the most recent USDA Crop Progress report, condition ratings for spring wheat declined once again. Only 16 percent of the U.S. crop is rated in good to excellent condition, compared to 20 percent last week and 70 last year. Almost half of the U.S. spring wheat crop is rated in poor to very poor condition, indicative of poor stands, reduced yield potential and projections that some of the crop may be abandoned or cut for hay. Producers also report that conditions are extremely variable and depend a lot on planting date and moisture received. Some producers are still reporting decent looking crops, but most will be below average. In terms of crop development, about 70 percent of the U.S. crop has headed out, slightly ahead of average. For North Dakota over two-thirds has headed out.
The majority of the durum producing region of North Dakota saw very little precipitation over the last week and warmer than normal temperatures. Crop condition ratings dropped slightly this week with about 47 percent of the durum rated in good to excellent condition and 30 percent rated in poor to very poor condition. Similar to spring wheat, the condition of the crop varies quite a bit depending on planting date (the later planted crop looks better in general) and which areas received moisture. In terms of crop development, just under half of the durum has headed out, comparable to last year and the five-year average.
Wheat Headed by State | 7/4/21 | Last Week | Last Year | 5 yr. Avg |
ND Spring | 68 | 42 | 55 | 62 |
ND Durum | 47 | 19 | 50 | 50 |
Minnesota | 97 | 84 | 79 | 77 |
Montana | 50 | 28 | 46 | 42 |
South Dakota | 84 | 79 | 88 | 82 |
U.S. | 69 | 48 | 59 | 62 |
As of July 4, 2021
Current Crop Condition by State | Very Poor | Poor | Fair | Good | Excellent | Overall |
ND Spring 6/27/21 | 21 19 | 29 25 | 32 36 | 16 18 | 2 2 | 249 259 |
ND Durum 6/27/21 | 12 6 | 18 13 | 23 30 | 40 43 | 7 8 | 312 334 |
Minnesota 6/27/21 | 7 11 | 18 21 | 40 39 | 34 28 | 1 1 | 304 287 |
Montana 6/27/21 | 18 3 | 45 25 | 30 51 | 5 19 | 2 2 | 228 292 |
South Dakota 6/27/21 | 20 22 | 41 27 | 32 41 | 7 10 | 0 0 | 226 239 |
U.S. 6/70/21 | 18 14 | 32 25 | 34 41 | 14 18 | 2 2 | 250 269 |
As of July 4, 2021
— N.D. Wheat Commission
For more wheat news, click here.