Minnesota Ag Connection - Spring Wheat Harvest Ahead of 5-Year Average

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Spring Wheat Harvest Ahead of 5-Year Average
Minnesota Ag Connection - 08/15/2018

The U.S. spring wheat harvest is just over a third complete, ahead of the five-year average. Hot, mostly dry conditions over the last week have allowed for good harvest progress and the current forecast calls for more of the same. Harvest is nearly 80 percent complete in South Dakota, nearly half complete in Minnesota, 29 percent complete in North Dakota, and 26 percent complete in Montana.

Harvest reports continue to indicate variable yields and yields seem to be largely dependent on planting date, length of dry conditions, and early season heat. Some producers are reporting yields below their expectations while others have been pleasantly surprised by their yields. A common yield range so far in North Dakota has been between 40 and 70 bushels. Test weights so far have been above 58 pounds per bushels, with the majority being over 60 pounds per bushel. Producers have reported protein mostly in the 14-15 percent range, not surprising given the warm, dry conditions during crop development. As harvest progress, more accurate yield and quality estimates will become available.

Durum harvest is just beginning in North Dakota with less than 10 percent of the crop harvested. Another two-thirds of the crop is nearing maturation, well ahead of average. The forecast for dry conditions this week should allow for good harvest pace.

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