The condition rating for most North Dakota crops has fallen sharply from a week earlier in the wake of excessive heat and just hit-and-miss rainfall.
The latest weekly crop progress report pegged the state spring wheat crop at just 55% good to excellent as of Sunday, down a hefty 12 points from a week earlier. Meanwhile, that portion of the crop rated in poor to very poor condition doubled from the previous week to 12%.
“Hot temperatures and variable precipitation (are) leading to crop stress in many areas and advancing crop maturity,” the North Dakota Wheat Commission said in its weekly update on Wednesday. "Much of the region would welcome additional precipitation and a period of cooler temperatures.”
The condition of the North Dakota durum crop also declined, also falling 12 points on the week to 76% good to excellent. The condition of the soybean crop dropped 11 points to 53% good to excellent, and corn was down 14 points at 63%.
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