FARGO, N.D. (DTN) -- Scouts reported a flat to mixed bag of results as they made final tallies for the 2010 Hard Spring Wheat and Durum tour. Overall, wheat yields look strong, with some scouts anticipating higher protein levels for the 2010 crop.
Scouts estimate the spring wheat crop yield will average 46 bushels per acre. (DTN Photo by Susanne Stahl)
Final averages for the three-day tour of North Dakota, South Dakota and western Minnesota where: Hard red spring, 46 bushels per acre; durum, 38.4 bushels; hard red winter, 48.4 bushels. Those compare with 46.2, 36.2 and 51.3, respectively, for the 2009 tour.
Overall wheat average for the tour was pegged at 45.2, down slightly from the 45.7 average calculated in 2009. Scouts surveyed 370 fields, compared to 458 fields last year, said Ben Handcock, executive vice president of the council.
Tour scouts spread out from Devils Lake, N.D. and went north and east into western Minnesota on Thursday.
Averages for the third day were 50.3 bushels per acre for hard red spring and 40.2 bushels for durum. Those compare with 50.2 and 26.2 for 2009 HRS and durum wheat in 2009.
One scout commented, “This looks like another big crop. Last year was one of the best crops we’ve seen, and at this point the wheat looked great but was two weeks behind normal. This year, the wheat looks just as good,” and is much farther along in maturity than in 2009. That older crop, barring a weather disaster, has much less chance of losing yield to insects and diseases.
Several scouts said they found wheat that should grade in the 13.5 to 14 percent protein range, better than in 2009.
The average protein content could increase from last year's disappointing level because farmers applied extra fertilizer this year and the crop experienced a bit more stress from hot weather, tour participants said. Stress usually boosts protein content at the expense of yields, and last year's crop had very little heat stress.
"This year we had a few days up in the 90s," North Dakota farmer David Clough said. "With the extra nitrogen and a little bit more heat, I've got my fingers crossed that we'll have a little bit of protein."
Insect and disease pressure were light, with no major reports of Fusarium head blight, which can reduce grain quality and yield, scouts said. Also known as head scab, the fungal disease has been a pain for spring wheat farmers in previous years.
The wheat tour is intended to provide a snapshot of how the crop is faring at this point in time. Last year's final HRS wheat yield estimate of 46.2 bushels per acre was slightly above the U.S. Department of Agriculture's eventual estimate of 45 bushels.
Harvest has started in a few areas and will pick up speed if the weather is warm and dry, scouts said. Areas that were planted later in the spring due to excessive rains won't be ready for harvest for four weeks or so, they said.
Dow Jones Newswires contributed to this report.
Susanne Stahl can be reached at Susanne.stahl@telventdtn.com
(GH/KM)
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