HRW Wheat Crop Improves as SRW Crop Slips

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), the HRW wheat crop improved 3.31 points from last week to 330.03 points, largely due to a 3.52-point gain in Kansas. But the crop is still rated nearly 34 points under last year at this point. The SRW wheat crop, on the other hand, fell 1.88 points to 362.49 points. This is down just over 4 points from last year at this point.

* 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 May 21, 2017, temperatures in the western half of the state averaged two to four degrees below normal, while temperatures in the east averaged two to four degrees above normal, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Rainfall continued across the entire State, with totals exceeding one inch in most areas. There were 2.9 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture rated 0% very short, 1% short, 70% adequate, and 29% surplus. Subsoil moisture rated 0% very short, 2% short, 82% adequate, and 16% surplus.

Winter wheat condition rated 8% very poor, 16% poor, 29% fair, 40% good, and 7% excellent. Winter wheat headed was 94%, near 95% last year, but ahead of 83% for the five-year average. Coloring was 23%, ahead of 14% last year.

Oklahoma: Severe storms produced large tornados, up to softball size hail, damaging winds, and heavy rainfall last week. Numerous homes and other structures were damaged across western Oklahoma including 50 to 75 homes in Elk City. All districts recorded above normal precipitation. According to the OCS Mesonet, the Panhandle and Northeast districts experienced the wettest 60-day period since 1921. Drought condition was rated 7% moderate to exceptional drought, up 3 points from last week but does not yet reflect last week’s rainfall totals. Statewide temperatures averaged in the low 80s. Topsoil and subsoil moisture conditions were rated mostly adequate to short. There were 4.2 days suitable for fieldwork.

Winter wheat headed reached 98%, up 2 points from normal. Winter wheat harvested reached 1%, down 4 points from normal.

Texas: Many areas of the state received between 0.5 of an inch to 2.0 inches of rainfall with isolated reports of up to 5.0 inches of rain. The Trans-Pecos, the Panhandle and the Lower Valley reported the lowest total precipitation for the week. There were 6.3 days suitable for fieldwork.

Winter wheat condition was mostly fair to good statewide. Stripe rust was found in winter wheat fields in the Northern High Plains. Wheat harvest slowed down in the Low Plains, the Cross Timbers and the Blacklands due to rain and high humidity. Harvest continued in the Trans-Pecos and South Central Texas with no major setbacks.

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

Ohio: High temperatures at the beginning of the week helped dry out fields for some planting but spotty rains toward the end of the week delayed further planting. There were 4.4 days suitable for fieldwork in Ohio during the week ending May 21, according to Cheryl Turner, Ohio State Statistician with USDA’s NASS. Producers were able to plant corn and soybeans before the rain set in but now are experiencing problems with excess moisture. A significant amount of fields had to be replanted, and many farmers had to return to fields to handle soil crusting.

Michigan: There were 5.1 days suitable for fieldwork in Michigan during the week ending May 21, 2017, according to Marlo Johnson, Director of the Great Lakes Regional Office of NASS. The week began with warm, dry conditions which allowed producers to make good planting progress. Cool, wet conditions returned by the end of the week halting fieldwork, although the moisture was welcomed in some areas.

Winter wheat development had just started to progress into the heading stage in some areas. The crop remained in good condition.

Missouri: Warm weather and above average precipitation were prevalent across the state for the week ending May 21. Temperatures averaged 68.7 degrees, 3.0 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 2.09 inches statewide, 1.07 inches above normal. There were 4.0 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 3% short, 70% adequate, and 27% surplus. Subsoil moisture supply was rated 3% short, 74% adequate, and 23% surplus.

Winter wheat headed reached 97%. Winter wheat condition was rated 1% very poor, 8% poor, 30% fair, 54% good, and 7% excellent.