MANDAN, N.D. — Producers throughout the spring wheat region had another productive week in terms of planting progress. The most recent USDA Crop Progress report indicates that about 70 percent of the U.S. spring wheat crop has been planted, ahead of both last year’s pace and the five-year average. Both South Dakota and Minnesota report over 90 percent of the crop has been planted. In Montana about half of the crop is in the ground and North Dakota has about two-thirds of its spring wheat planted. Temperatures are forecast to warm up as this week progresses which should allow continued planting progress and help with emergence.
Emergence continues to be a bit slow despite the earlier than normal planting. Temperatures have remained below average and combined with dry conditions have led to slow emergence. Many producers are also reporting spotty stands as emergence has been uneven, especially in severely dry areas. About 30 percent of the U.S. crop has emerged. In North Dakota, only about 20 percent has emerged.
The past weekend brought precipitation to portions of the spring wheat region. In North Dakota, the rains were not widespread, however, the most precipitation was in the southwest portion of the state where producers have missed out on almost any measurable precipitation this spring. Precipitation amounts ranged from 0.5 to 1.4 inches (as seen in the map below), followed by snow in the southwest corner of the state. The precipitation was a welcome sight for producers in these areas and will help get the crop going, although more moisture will be needed. The rest of the state received very little precipitation with isolated areas getting a quarter to half an inch of rain. Topsoil and subsoil moisture conditions are still mostly rated as being short to very short.
About 40 percent of the durum crop has been planted in North Dakota, up from 22 percent last week and ahead of both last year and the five-year average. Durum producers in the southwest part of the state received beneficial moisture, but in the northwest durum producing regions, only isolated areas received precipitation. Similar to spring wheat, emergence has been slow due to dry conditions and cool temperatures. About six percent of the durum has emerged, similar to average. Producers are reporting uneven emergence for durum as well. In Montana 30 percent of the durum crop has been planted.
Wheat Planted by State | 5/9/21 | Last Week | Last Year | 5 yr. Avg |
ND Spring | 66 | 42 | 25 | 42 |
ND Durum | 39 | 22 | 26 | 26 |
Minnesota | 97 | 72 | 37 | 52 |
Montana | 53 | 33 | 48 | 52 |
South Dakota | 91 | 81 | 73 | 72 |
U.S. | 70 | 49 | 40 | 51 |
As of May 9, 2021
Wheat Emerged by State | 5/9/21 | Last Week | Last Year | 5 yr. Avg |
ND Spring | 20 | 6 | 3 | 11 |
ND Durum | 6 | 2 | 6 | 5 |
Minnesota | 50 | 19 | 10 | 18 |
Montana | 20 | 6 | 22 | 20 |
South Dakota | 60 | 46 | 33 | 41 |
U.S. | 29 | 14 | 15 | 20 |
As of May 9, 2021
— North Dakota Wheat Commission
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