MANDAN, N.D. — Harvest of the spring wheat crop is nearing the finish line with 94% of the U.S. crop now harvested. The remainder of the unharvested crop is in Minnesota and North Dakota where just over 90% has been harvested. As harvest winds down, producers continue to report mostly average to above average yields and strong quality. There are pockets in the state where producers have reported “disappointing” yields due to lack of rainfall during the growing season.
Quality analysis continues at the Spring Wheat Quality Lab at NDSU where approximately 70% of the expected samples have been analyzed. Quality has not changed significantly from the previous week. Protein is averaging 14.4%, while this is down nearly a point from the drought impacted crop last year, the average and range of protein is typical of a normal year. Falling numbers are strong, averaging over 400 seconds, test weights are good with an average of 61.6 pounds per bushel, and damage is low. The crop currently grades a No. 1 Northern Spring with vitreous kernel content at 71%.
Durum harvest continues to make progress with 77% harvested in North Dakota and 97% in Montana. With the later planted durum crop, harvest will likely continue into October. Producers are mostly reporting good yields and decent quality, but protein levels in areas of North Dakota have been trending below average. About half of the expected samples have been analyzed for quality at the Durum Quality Lab at NDSU. Very few samples have been received from northwest North Dakota where harvest has been slower. Overall, test weights are good, averaging 61.1 pounds per bushel and falling numbers are strong with the average over 400 seconds. Damage so far is low. Protein on the samples thus far is averaging 14.4%, but the later harvested crop has been showing lower protein levels and this crop is not yet represented in the quality data. The crop currently grades a No. 1 Hard Amber Durum.
Wheat Harvested by State | 9/18/22 | Last Week | Last Year | 5 yr. Avg |
North Dakota HRS | 91 | 79 | 100 | 93 |
North Dakota Durum | 77 | 65 | 99 | 88 |
Montana Durum | 97 | 91 | n/a | n/a |
Minnesota HRS | 92 | 75 | 100 | 97 |
Montana HRS | 100 | 99 | 100 | 92 |
South Dakota HRS | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
U.S. HRS | 94 | 85 | 100 | 94 |
September 18, 2022 |
— ND Wheat Commission