Both HRW and SRW Wheat Ratings Climb

When USDA’s weekly crop condition ratings are plugged into Pro Farmer’s weighted Crop Condition Index (CCI; 0 to 500 point scale, with 500 representing perfect), it shows the HRW climbed 6.69 points to 335.48 points, largely due to a big jump in ratings for Kansas. The SRW wheat crop climbed 1.58 points from week-ago to 374.37 points.

* denotes percentage of total national HRW/SRW crop production.

Following are details from USDA’s National Ag Statistics Service (NASS) crop and weather reports for key HRW wheat states:

Kansas: For the week ending April 9 , 2017, temperatures averaged a few degrees a bove normal across most of the S tate, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Rain continued to fall across the majority of counties, with many averaging one inch or more. Controlled burning of native pastures was underway in some areas. There were 2.1 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture rated 6% very short, 14% short, 66% adequate, and 14% surplus. Subsoil moisture rated 6% very short, 20% short, 70% adequate, and 4% surplus.

Winter wheat condition rated 4% very poor, 13% poor, 35% fair, 43% good , and 5% excellent. Winter wheat jointed was 43%, behind 57% last year, but near the five-year average of 44%. Headed was 1%, near 0% last year and 2% average.

Oklahoma: Although spring storms brought some rainfall to the So utheastern and East Central districts, drought conditions continued to advance across the state last week. According to the OCS Mesonet, the biggest drought increase was experienced across Eastern and North West Oklahoma. Statewide, temperatures averaged in the mid 60s. Drought conditions were rated 81% moderate, up 7 points from last week and 46% severe, up 5 points from last week. Top soil and subsoil moisture conditions were rated mostly short to adequate. There were 3.6 days suitable for fieldwork.

Winter wheat jointing reached 84%, up 2 points from normal. Winter wheat headed reached 8% , down 2 points from normal.

Texas: Not available at this time.

Following are details from USDA’s NASS crop and weather reports for key SRW wheat states:

Ohio: There were 0.8 days suitable for fieldwork in Ohio during the week ending April 9, according to Cheryl Turner, Ohio State Statistician with the USDA’s NASS. A very wet week has kept producers out of the fields. There was a lot of rain in the beginning of the week followed by some snow on Thursday. The week ended with a warm weekend which helped dry some fields.

Wheat remained in good condition, despite ponding and delays in top dressing.

Michigan: There were 0.9 days suitable for fieldwork in Michigan during the week ending April 9, 2017, according to Marlo Johnson, Director of the Great Lakes Regional Office of NASS. Continued heavy precipitation left standing water in many fields and severely limited fieldwork. Some farmers did manage to apply dry fertilizer and spread manure on well drained fields. Winds and warm temperatures at the end of the week assisted in the drying process, but planting of field crops had yet to begin in most areas due to the saturated soil.

Winter wheat broke dormancy in many areas, but some wheat fields were showing signs of surplus moisture stress.

Missouri: Rain continues to delay pl anting of corn throughout the region. There were 1.4 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending April 9. Temperatures averaged 54.2 degrees, 3.5 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 1.56 inches statewide, 0.89 inches above normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 4% very short, 11% short, 64% adequate, and 21% surplus. Subsoil moisture supply was rated 6% very short, 18% short, 65% adequate, and 11% surplus.

Winter wheat condition was rated 2% poor, 36% fair, 55% good, and 7% excellent.