Spring Wheat Yield Reports Quite Variable

Producers continue to make progress harvesting the spring wheat crop, despite some delays from rain showers and high humidity. Ten percent of the U.S. crop has been harvested, close to the five-year average of nine percent and ahead of last year’s pace of six percent. In South Dakota over half of the crop has been harvested, well ahead of average. In the other states, harvest progress is close to the average with producers in Minnesota having harvested 13 percent, four percent in North Dakota and one percent in Montana. Crop condition ratings remain the same as last week with 68 percent of the spring wheat rated in good to excellent condition.

Yield reports have been quite variable with producers reporting yields below last year’s levels. Yield potential is good in areas that received adequate precipitation, but low in areas where moisture was lacking. The Wheat Quality Council’s spring wheat tour went through the region last week and the final yield estimate for spring wheat was 45.7 bushels per acre, about four bushels lower than last year’s estimate. Protein reports have been limited with a range of 12-15 percent so far. These levels will likely change significantly as the harvest progresses. Warm, dry conditions should allow producers to make good harvest progress this week.