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Spring Wheat Harvest Remains behind Average
04.08.2010 12:51 "Agro Perspectiva" (Kyiv) —
The U. S. spring wheat harvest pace remains behind average, although still a bit better than a year ago.
Yesterday’s USDA crop progress report estimated the nationwide spring wheat harvest at 5% complete as of Sunday, 2 points ahead of last year but 8 points behind average.
According to today’s update from the North Dakota Wheat Commission, spring wheat harvest across all of the main producing states was interrupted by precipitation, including severe thunderstorms. The thunderstorms produced hail, strong winds and tornadoes in portions of the region, but didnt cause widespread damage.
Harvest is most advanced in South Dakota at 31% complete as of Sunday, well ahead of 16% last year but 5 points behind average. Minnesota was 9% complete versus 2% last year and 10% on average. The North Dakota crop was 1% off, 9 points behind average, while no progress was reported in Montana compared to 9% on average.
The North Dakota Wheat Commission reported that yields reported so far have been «promising,» although it is still too early for any initial protein or other quality data to be reported.
The spring wheat crop that is still in the ground appears to be in good condition, with 82% rated good to excellent condition as of Sunday, much higher than the average for this time of year.
Durum harvest has not yet begun in the Northern region as crop development is still lagging behind the five-year average. In North Dakota 16% of the crop was reported as turning color, up from 9% last year, but well below the average of 48%. On average, 4% of the durum crop is harvested by the first week in August.
Meanwhile, less than 20% of the U.S. winter wheat crop still remained to be harvested as of Sunday, with the crop 83% harvested as of Sunday. That’s up from 79% a week earlier but trails the average by 5 points.
September Chicago wheat finished up 31 3/4 cents at US$6.93 1/4 yesterday, while December added 29 3/4 to $7.23 1/2. The market has rallied as much as $2.57/bu since the June 30.
A lack of rain in the forecast for the drought-ravaged Russian growing areas and continued high temperatures in the forecast for this week helped to support solid buying support. The ongoing severe drought in Russia, Ukraine and parts of Kazakhstan, a weaker U.S. dollar and a surge higher in energy markets were also seen as positive forces for the market.
This weeks export inspections for wheat were 22.04 million bu, up from last weeks 15.9 million. Cumulative inspection for the 2010/11 crop year jumped to 14.8% of the USDAs projected total for the crop year, although this still lags behind the 5-year average of 15.9%. Inspections need to average 19.4 million each week to reach the USDAs projection.
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