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Most of HRSW Crop Rated Good to Excellent
Minnesota Ag Connection - 07/11/2018

The U.S. hard red spring wheat crop made another slight advancement in overall condition rating, moving up to 80 percent good to excellent, compared to 77 percent the previous week. Only 4 percent of the crop is rated poor to very poor. A year ago 39 percent was rated poor to very poor and just 35 percent good to excellent.

Mostly favorable soil moisture conditions and generally good growing conditions prompted the slight uptick in the crop. A period of very hot temperatures with high humidity this past weekend, and forecasted to continue into this week, may stress the crop in areas. In addition, parts of the main four-state region have been hit with significant hail storms over the past ten days, amounting to considerable crop loss in those areas. Disease threats have remained high as well, due to the high humidity and heavy crop stands, but producers have been vigilant about applying fungicide to limit impact on the crop.

By state, condition ratings remain above 80 percent good to excellent in Montana, North Dakota and Minnesota, with South Dakota at 51 percent good to excellent. All states are above last year for crop condition ratings at this time, and the crop in each state is at or ahead of the five-year average for maturity. Nationally, 81 percent is headed, up from 58 percent the previous week, and ahead of the five-year average of 69 percent. A year ago at this time 76 percent was headed. By state, the crop is most advanced in Minnesota with 92 percent headed, followed by South Dakota at 90 percent, North Dakota at 81 percent and Montana at just 68 percent.

The Northern durum crop in Montana and North Dakota made slight gains in overall condition ratings compared to the previous week. The Montana crop is rated 63 percent good to excellent, up from 54 percent the previous week, and well ahead of year ago when just 4 percent was rated good to excellent. The North Dakota crop is rated 81 percent good to excellent, up from 76 percent the previous week. Average to above average temperatures continue to accelerate the advancement of the crop in each state with 58 percent of the Montana crop headed or beyond, compared to the five-year average of 37 percent. In North Dakota, 68 percent was headed or beyond, well ahead of the five-year average of 43 percent. Current weather conditions are elevating the disease risk in the crop, so producers are busy applying fungicides as more of the crop enters the heading stage.


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