The weeks of spring and early summer continue to be a rollercoaster of conditions across the region. Rain continued to disrupt fieldwork over the last week and flooding also added obstacles for a number of producers. The following numbers from the state USDA NASS offices depict progress as of this past Sunday.
Montana: Crop conditions have improved over last week’s ratings and are similar to the five-year averages for most crops. Cool and damp conditions have continued, presenting the threat of disease and fungus to those crops that have emerged. Field spraying has begun as planting nears completion. Ninety-one percent of durum wheat is in the ground as is 90{dfeadfe70caf58f453a47791a362966239aaa64624c42b982d70b175f7e3dda2} of spring wheat. Sixty-nine percent of spring wheat has emerged. The five-year average is 99{dfeadfe70caf58f453a47791a362966239aaa64624c42b982d70b175f7e3dda2}. A mere 13{dfeadfe70caf58f453a47791a362966239aaa64624c42b982d70b175f7e3dda2} of winter wheat has headed. While this is comparable to last year’s 15{dfeadfe70caf58f453a47791a362966239aaa64624c42b982d70b175f7e3dda2} at this time, it is dramatically below the five-year average of 48{dfeadfe70caf58f453a47791a362966239aaa64624c42b982d70b175f7e3dda2}. See full report…
Wyoming: The progress of all crops, except for spring wheat planted and first cutting alfalfa hay, continues to lag behind both this time last year and the 5-year average. The average height of corn is currently estimated at half the height it was at this time last year. Nearly all barley, or 91{dfeadfe70caf58f453a47791a362966239aaa64624c42b982d70b175f7e3dda2}, has emerged. Fifty-three percent of winter wheat has headed. This is down 26{dfeadfe70caf58f453a47791a362966239aaa64624c42b982d70b175f7e3dda2} from the five-year average. Seventy-one percent of sugarbeets have emerged. This is down from last year’s 90{dfeadfe70caf58f453a47791a362966239aaa64624c42b982d70b175f7e3dda2} and the five-year average of 96{dfeadfe70caf58f453a47791a362966239aaa64624c42b982d70b175f7e3dda2}. Eleven percent of the first cutting of alfalfa is now complete. See full report…
South Dakota: Farmers made gains on the acres of soybeans and sunflowers planted. The warmer conditions allowed for substantial growth in all crops. Insect control has become an issue, especially with aphids in winter wheat and grasshoppers in the alfalfa acreage. Ninety-two percent of winter wheat is in the boot stage but, as custom harvesters start to think about heading to the state, all of the wheat is still green. Six percent of spring wheat has headed compared to last year’s 33{dfeadfe70caf58f453a47791a362966239aaa64624c42b982d70b175f7e3dda2} and the five-year average of 37{dfeadfe70caf58f453a47791a362966239aaa64624c42b982d70b175f7e3dda2}. See full report…
North Dakota: Scattered rainstorms throughout the week disrupted fieldwork around the state, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, North Dakota Field Office. Producers attempting to finish planting in many areas were once again delayed by excess precipitation and soil moisture. Fifteen percent of the projected spring wheat acres still have not been planted. All of that crop would normally be in the ground. And, at a time when durum wheat planting would also normally be complete, only 44{dfeadfe70caf58f453a47791a362966239aaa64624c42b982d70b175f7e3dda2} has been seeded. See full report…
© Northern Ag Network 2011
Haylie Shipp