North Dakota Ag Connection - Wheat Crop Showing Stress from Dry Conditions

North Dakota Ag News Headlines

Wheat Crop Showing Stress from Dry Conditions
North Dakota Ag Connection - 07/21/2021

Producers in North Dakota faced more of the same -- warmer than normal temperatures and isolated rain. Much of the rain fell in the northeast part of the state and some in the central -- areas that have missed out on much of the precipitation. The current week's forecast shows above average temperatures and chances of isolated thunderstorms. The majority of the state's spring wheat crop has headed out and about 40 percent is starting to turn color, ahead of average. About 5 percent is rated as being mature. Some of the earlier planted spring wheat crop is turning ripe quickly and we could potentially see some harvest towards the end of the week. Crop condition ratings fell again this week as crops have become even more stressed with the hot temperatures.

According to the most recent USDA Crop Progress report, only 11 percent of the U.S. spring wheat crop is rated in good to excellent condition, down from 16 percent last week and 70 percent last year. Over half of the crop is rated as being in poor to very poor condition.

Durum condition ratings for the state fell this week as much of the durum region has missed out on rainfall the past few weeks and the hot, dry conditions are stressing the durum crop. According to the USDA Crop Progress Report, a third of the crop is rated in good to excellent condition, down from 45 percent a week ago. Nearly 40 percent is rated in poor to very poor condition. About 80 percent of the North Dakota crop has headed out, a bit behind average. Nearly 30 percent is starting to turn color, ahead of average.

Minnesota wheat headed was 100 perent, while 96 percent of South Dakota's wheat was reported headed.

Minnesota's wheat condition was rated at 14 percent very poor, 28 percent poor, 43 percent fair and 15 percent good. No Minnesota wheat was rated excellent.

In South Dakota, the wheat crop condition was rated 32 perent very poor, 38 percent poor, 25 percent fair and 5 percent good. No South Dakota wheat was rated excellent.

Other North Dakota Headlines