USDA’s final Crop Progress report of 2017, released Nov. 27, showed winter wheat conditions below the five-year average.
USDA estimated winter wheat conditions at 50 percent good to excellent as of Sunday, Nov. 26, down 2 percentage points from 52 percent good to excellent the previous week. That resulted in a DTN Winter Wheat Condition Index of 130, down five points from the previous week.
“DTN’s index is down from 147 a year ago and below the five-year average of 135. Monday’s lower crop rating was slightly bullish for winter wheat prices,” said DTN Analyst Todd Hultman.
Winter wheat progress continued at an average pace with USDA estimating 92 percent of the crop emerged as of Sunday, the same as both a year ago and the five-year average.
USDA’s final Crop Progress report of the year also showed the U.S. soybean harvest is done for the year and farmers have only about 5 percent of the corn crop left to harvest.
USDA estimated that 95 percent of corn was harvested as of Sunday, slightly below 98 percent a year ago and also below the five-year average of 98 percent harvested.
“Monday’s harvest progress was neutral for corn prices with another mostly dry forecast for the week ahead,” Hultman said. “Indiana, Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin are some of the states with corn still in the field.”
The following are highlights from weekly crop progress reports issued by National Agricultural Statistics Service offices in individual states for the week of Nov. 20. To view the full reports from each state, visit http://www.nass.usda.gov/. The national Crop Progress report will resume on Monday, April 2, 2018. Some states continue to issue monthly reports during the winter.
Colorado
Another week of warm and dry weather pushed crop harvest to near completion. Reporters in northeastern counties noted harvest was wrapping up and fall fieldwork continued where conditions allowed. Conditions in these areas remained a concern due to lack of moisture. In east central counties, a reporter noted winter wheat was doing well, but dry conditions were a concern going forward. Reporters in southwestern counties noted continued dry weather caused conditions to deteriorate. Days suitable for fieldwork is 6.9, up from the previous week’s 6.7 days. Topsoil moisture is 2 percent very short, 19 percent short, 78 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture is 3 percent short, 22 percent short, 74 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. Corn harvested is 94 percent with 98 percent the five-year average. Sorghum harvested is 96 percent also the five-year average. Winter wheat crop condition is 7 percent very poor to poor, 27 percent fair and 66 percent good to excellent.
Iowa
Many Iowa farmers were able to wrap up their fall fieldwork. Activities for the week included harvesting, baling corn stalks, tiling, terracing, hauling and spreading manure and applying fertilizers. Corn for grain harvested was nearly complete at 96 percent, eight days behind the five-year average. Only southwest and south-central Iowa have over 5 percent of their corn for grain crop remaining to be harvested. Moisture content of corn being harvested for grain averaged 17 percent.
Kansas
Warm, dry weather spread across the state with temperatures averaging 8-12 degrees above normal with no measurable precipitation. Field activities included nitrogen and lime application, moving cattle to crop residues, and progression of sunflower and cotton harvests. Winter wheat condition rated 4 percent very poor, 10 percent poor, 35 percent fair, 47 percent good, and 4 percent excellent. Winter wheat emerged was 93 percent, near 96 percent last year, and behind 98 percent for the five-year average. Soybeans harvested was 97 percent, near 99 percent last year and 98 percent of the five-year average. Sorghum harvested was 94 percent, near 97 percent both last year and on average.
Missouri
Statewide, the temperature averaged 43.8 degrees, 2.7 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 0.01 inch statewide, 0.95 inch below normal. Soybean harvest was 95 percent complete, up 4 percentage points from last week. Sorghum harvest was 95 percent complete. Winter wheat planted reached 96 percent. Winter wheat emerged reached 83 percent. Winter wheat condition was rated 57 percent good to excellent.
Nebraska
Temperatures averaged 6-15 degrees above normal across the state last week. No moisture was received for most of Nebraska. Corn harvest was wrapping up for the region. Corn harvested was 97 percent, near 98 percent for both last year and the five-year average. Winter wheat condition rated 59 percent good to excellent. Sorghum harvested was 96 percent, near 100 percent last year and 99 percent average.
North Dakota
Warm temperatures across the state melted much of the remaining snow and allowed producers to make progress harvesting their remaining crops. Average temperatures were unseasonably warm as they ranged from 4-16 degrees above normal across the state. Livestock producers were busy working their herds and getting them moved off pastures. Hay was also being moved for the winter season. Corn harvested was 94 percent, near 96 percent last year and 95 percent for the five-year average. Winter wheat condition rated 28 percent good to excellent. Sunflowers harvested was 93 percent, near 96 percent last year, and equal to average.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma received almost no measurable precipitation during the reporting week. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 28 percent of the state was in the moderate-to-exceptional drought categories, up 11 points from the previous week, and 9 percent of the state was severe to exceptional drought categories, up 7 points from the previous week. Statewide, temperatures averaged in the mid-60s. Winter wheat emerged reached 95 percent, unchanged from normal. Oats planted reached 65 percent, up 5 points from normal, and oats emerged reached 48 percent, down 7 points from normal. Sorghum harvested reached 95 percent, unchanged from normal. Soybeans harvested reached 83 percent, down 5 points from normal.
South Dakota
Most producers completed fall harvest and other field activities following unseasonably warm weather across much of the state. However, the dry conditions and lack of snow cover were unfavorable for winter wheat. Drought conditions continued across much of the west. Corn harvested was 97 percent, near 99 percent last year and 98 percent for the five-year average. Winter wheat condition was rated 18 percent good to excellent. Sorghum harvested was 95 percent, behind 100 percent last year, and near 98 percent average.
Texas
Dry conditions persisted across many areas of the state, while temperatures were cooler than the previous week. The only significant rain was recorded in the Upper Coast, where precipitation ranged between trace amounts and 1.5 inches. Cotton was 71 percent harvested as of Nov. 26, near the average of 69 percent. Winter wheat was 92 percent planted, near the average of 93 percent, and 84 percent of the crop was emerged, slightly ahead of the average of 78 percent. Winter wheat condition was rated 36 percent good to excellent. Oats were 85 percent emerged, ahead of the average of 78 percent. Oat conditions were rated 34 percent good to excellent. —DTN staff
