Crop Progress Report April 21, 2015
Producers were able to make good planting progress of the spring wheat crop due to warm, dry conditions much of last week. Currently about 36 percent of the U.S. spring wheat crop has been planted, well above the five-year average of 19 percent. Significant progress was made in Minnesota where two-thirds of the crop has been planted, up from 20 percent the previous week and well above the average of 24 percent. Planting remains most advanced in South Dakota where 73 percent of the crop has been planted. Planting is not quite as advanced in Montana and North Dakota at 21 and 22 percent complete respectively, but the pace is well ahead of one year ago.
The biggest concerns continues to be drier than normal conditions. According to the U.S. drought monitor, much of the four-state region remains classified as abnormally dry or in a moderate drought. Welcomed precipitation – some in the form of snow – was received in most of the spring wheat region over the weekend, but additional moisture is needed. The moisture and expected cooler conditions this week may slow planting progress a bit.
Planting of the durum crop is underway. In North Dakota, 4 percent of the crop is reportedly planted, near the five-year average. In Montana, about 3 percent of the acreage has been seeded, a bit below the five-year average of 8 percent. Last year at this time, no durum had been planted in either state
[EasyDNNGallery|1707|Width|500|Height|500|position||resizecrop|False|lightbox|False|title|False|description|False|redirection|False|LinkText||]
Montana Crop Progress Summary
Montana was mostly dry with warm days and freezing nights this week but a spring snow storm
provided much needed precipitation to parts of the State, while other areas were missed entirely. The need for adequate precipitation to prevent further deterioration of soil conditions is becoming critical across the State and producers in many areas are having to seed into dry ground. Mild daytime conditions have allowed producers to get out into the fields with 5.8 days suitable for fieldwork this week and planting is well ahead of last year at this time. Barley has begun to emerge ahead of both last year and the five year average with 3 percent emerged. There are reports of powdery mildew showing up on winter wheat in the central portion of the State and winter wheat conditions have declined slightly from the previous week. Livestock producers continue to provide supplemental feed at rates lower than last year thanks to warmer weather but grasses are growing slowly in some areas.
Wyoming Crop Progress Summary
Wyoming had above normal temperatures early in the week with cold and moisture late in the week.
Our Lincoln County reporter indicated they got some moisture last week but need more moisture to start the range grasses. Farmers are starting to get ready for planting. Carbon County reports a winter storm from Thursday through Sunday, with livestock losses. Converse County reported over two and one-half inches of moisture for the week. Cattle and calf death loss was rated as 1 percent heavy, 44 percent average and 55 percent light. Sheep and lamb death loss was rated as 41 percent average and 59 percent light. Stock water supplies were rated 11 percent short and 89 percent adequate. Hay and roughage supplies were rated 1 percent short, 79 percent adequate and 20 percent surplus.
North Dakota Crop Progress Summary
For the week ending April 19, 2015, needed moisture was received at the end of the week over much of the state, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Most areas received half an inch or less of rain. Producers welcomed the moisture and indicated that more is needed to aid germination and reduce wind erosion. Before the moisture occurred, producers were able to make good progress in their fieldwork activity. Temperatures for the week were six to ten degrees above normal over much of the state. Reports indicated that, on average, fieldwork began April 15. There were 5.5 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 4 percent very short, 33 short, 60 adequate, and 3 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 3 percent very short, 23 short, 71 adequate, and 3 surplus.
South Dakota Crop Progress Summary
For the week ending April 19, 2015, temperatures were six to eight degrees above normal across the eastern two-thirds of the State, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The western third saw temperatures two to four degrees above normal. Despite light rainfall during the week, soil moisture conditions remained dry across most of the State, which allowed corn planting to begin. Statewide, there were 5.4 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 24 percent very
short, 43 short, 32 adequate, and 1 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 21 percent very short, 44 short,
35 adequate, and 0 surplus.
Source: North Dakota Wheat Commission and USDA NASS
