The U.S. spring wheat harvest accelerated this past week as combines made rapid progress across the northern Plains.
Monday’s USDA crop progress report showed 41% of the U.S. spring wheat crop was harvested as of Sunday, up 17 points from the previous week. Progress was also well ahead of the 33% harvested at the same point last year and the five-year average of 34%.
South Dakota remained furthest along, with 81% of its spring wheat crop in the bin, up from 65% a week earlier. That was well ahead of 66% last year and the five-year average of 70%.
Minnesota’s harvest more than doubled to 63% complete from 28% the previous week, compared with 44% last year and the 42% average. North Dakota advanced to 37% harvested from 20%, well ahead of 22% last year and the five-year average of 24%.
Montana’s harvest reached 28%, up from 17% a week earlier. Progress remained behind the 41% harvested at the same time last year and the five-year average of 42%.
Meanwhile, national spring wheat conditions edged higher, with 52% of the crop rated good to excellent as of Sunday, up 1 point from a week earlier and two points above last year.
Minnesota spring wheat improved one point to 91% good to excellent, while Montana was unchanged at 47%. South Dakota was also unchanged at 42%, while North Dakota slipped one point to 44% good to excellent.
The U.S. winter wheat harvest also moved closer to completion. Nationally, 96% of the crop was harvested as of Sunday, up 5 points from 91% the previous week. Progress was ahead of both the 93% harvested a year earlier and the five-year average of 94%.
