Weighted Crop Index Reflects Slight Decline in Spring Wheat Condition

Below we plug USDA’s weekly crop condition ratings into our weighted (by production) Pro Farmer Crop Condition Index (CCI; 0 to 500 point scale). The Pro Farmer CCI for spring wheat stands at 371.47.

(Palmer Drought Index below text.)

* denotes percentage of total national spring wheat crop production.

Following are details from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) state crop and weather reports:

North Dakota: For the week ending June 30, 2013, warmer, drier conditions across much of the state helped advance crop development, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Statewide, there were 6.0 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 0 percent very short, 6 short, 69 adequate and 25 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 0 percent very short, 4 short, 76 adequate and 20 surplus. Producers were busy wrapping up planting for the season, spraying pesticides, and putting up hay. Spring wheat seeding was 95 percent complete, behind last year at 100 and 99 average . Emerged was 85 percent, behind last year at 100 and 98 average. Jointed was at 44 percent, behind last year at 100 and 78 average. Headed was at 7 percent, well behind last year at 79 and 29 average. Condition rated 1 percent very poor, 3 poor, 20 fair, 62 good, and 14 excellent.

Montana: The week ending June 30 had a cool, wet start and hot, dry finish for most of Montana. Saint Marie received the highest amount of precipitation for the week with 1.25 inches of moisture. Most other sta ions reported receiving 0.00 to 1.17 inches of precipitation. High temperatures ranged from the lower 80s to the lower 90s, with the state-wide high temperature of 95 degrees recorded at Superior. A majority of stations reported lows in the mid 30s to the mid 50s, the coldest being Cooke City at 28 degrees, followed by West Yellowstone with 34 degrees. Topsoil moisture adequate and surplus is 83 percent compared with 50 percent last year and the 5 year average of 70 percent. Subsoil moisture was 78 percent adequate and surplus compared to 59 percent last year and the 5 year average of 71 percent. The weather outlook for July 8th through July 14 this for above normal temperatures and above normal precipitation both east and west of the Great Divide. Normal temperatures for this period in Montana are highs in the mid 70s to the upper 80s, with lows 40 degrees to the upper 50s. Spring wheat development is behind last year 50 percent in boot stage and 15 percent headed.

Minnesota: There were a total of 4.1 days suitable for field work in Minnesota during the week ending June 30, 2013; the most so far this year according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Statewide temperatures were 3.1 degrees above normal and precipitation was 0.18 inches below normal for last week. The Northwest district had the greatest average amount of precipitation at 2.17 inches. Topsoil moisture supplies decreased slightly to 0 percent very short, 1 percent short, 74 percent adequate, and 25 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies also decreased slightly to 0 percent very short, 5 percent short, 74 percent adequate and 21 percent surplus. Eighty-four percent of spring wheat had reached the jointed or beyond stage, behind last year’s 100 percent but equal to the normal pace. Spring wheat condition remained at 63 percent good or excellent.

South Dakota: For the week ending June 30, 2013, dry conditions and above normal temperatures across most areas of the state helped crop development this week, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Statewide, there were 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 2 percent very short, 11 short, 75 adequate , and 12 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 1 percent very short, 22 short, 68 adequate, and 9 surplus. Major farm activities included haying and spraying. Spring wheat jointed was at 91 percent, behind 2012 at 100 but near 93 average. Headed was at 52 percent, well behind last year at 99 and 66 average. Condition rated 1 percent very poor, 4 poor, 39 fair, 46 good, and 10 excellent.