Durum

The 2019 durum crop produced in North Dakota and Montana is smaller than 2018 and is skewed lower in overall quality due to historic rains during the month of September and a significantly delayed harvest, NDWC reports.

Production in North Dakota and Montana is estimated at 52 million bushels, down 20% from 2018, as planted area fell by 35%.

Excellent mid-season moisture propelled the crop to well above average yields in many areas, offsetting part of the acreage decline. Final production may fall further from current estimates however, as roughly 20% of the crop in the region remained unharvested as of mid-October. Due to the unusual harvest conditions this year, the entire crop is not represented in this crop quality report.

Only 77% of the expected durum samples were collected and analyzed for this report, and a higher-than-normal percentage of the crop will be moved directly into feed channels.

Approximately 37% of the crop grades a No. 1 or No. 2 hard amber durum (HAD), down from 86% a year ago. The average test weight is 61.1 pounds per bushels, similar to a year ago, and above the five-year average. Test weight distributions show nearly 70% of the crop above 60 pounds per bushels. Total kernel defects average 3%, higher than 1% last year and 1.3% for a 5-year average.

Map showing approximate share of regional production for durum

All of the increase is in damaged kernels, up from 0.3% in 2018 to 2.3% this year. The higher level of damaged kernels is due to elevated disease pressures during the growing season in some areas, and damage from the prolonged harvest period.

Go online to see the complete durum report.

Spring wheat

The 2019 U.S. hard red spring wheat (HRS) crop produced well above average yields and high protein levels. Excessive rain, which prolonged harvest, and led to less than typical quality.

Production is estimated at 559 million bushels, up 8% from the five-year average, although down 5% from last year, on reduced planted area. Due to harvest rains, not all of the crop was able to be surveyed for this report. Final production estimates may also fall as portions of the crop remained unharvested as of mid-October.

The crop averages a No. 1 Northern Spring, down from a No. 1 Dark Northern Spring in 2018, as average vitreous kernel levels fell to 55%. This is one of the lowest levels in many years and well below 86% last year, and the five-year average of 74%.

Map showing approximate share of regional production for hard red spring wheat

Grade distributions place 86% of the crop in the No. 1 grade, down from 95% a year ago. The average test weight is 60.7 pounds per bushel, lower than last year and the five-year average. The test weight of 60% of the crop is above 60 pounds per bushel, compared to 84% a year ago.

Go online to see the complete spring wheat quality report.

Source: Dakota Farmer