WINNIPEG — Hard red spring wheat planting in the United States is underway and is advancing faster than average due to favourable warm, dry weather in many regions, according to the North Dakota Wheat Commission’s crop progress report.
As of Sunday, 17 percent of the U.S. spring wheat crop was in the ground, up from just five percent last year and the average of 11 percent, U.S. Department of Agriculture data shows.
South Dakota had the most wheat seeded, with 44 percent of intended acreage planted as of Sunday. Minnesota’s spring wheat planting was 20 percent complete, with 10 percent in Montana and five percent in North Dakota.
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There wasn’t any durum planting activity reported in North Dakota because some areas in the state are still too wet to plant. However, forecasts are calling for warmer weather this week, which should help planting progress advance, the commission report said.
Total U.S. spring wheat acreage is expected to be around 13 million acres, according to the USDA’s prospective plantings report in late March. However, due to drier conditions and an earlier than average start to planting, final acreage numbers will likely be a bit higher.
The U.S. Drought Monitor is showing much of the U.S. spring wheat growing region is experiencing abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions, with the exception of Montana. Because of this, moisture will be needed as crop development progresses, the report said.
