Overall North Dakota harvest progress is mixed, with some crops coming off ahead of the average pace and others behind.
The latest weekly state crop progress report showed the state spring wheat harvest at 93% complete as of Sunday, near 94% last year and on par with the five-year average. The durum crop was also 93% in the bin as of Sunday, ahead of 85% last year and 86% on average. The barley harvest was almost complete at 98%, a single point ahead of the average, while oats were 92% harvested, versus 99% last year and 96% on average.
The latest quality update from the North Dakota Wheat Commission said that with about half of the samples collected, spring wheat protein levels have been lower than average at 14%. Protein is generally showing lower in Minnesota and eastern Minnesota, but considerably higher in Montana and parts of western North Dakota, the update said. While there are areas of low-test weight, the regional average so far is 60.9 lbs/bu, it added.
The overall quality of the 2024 durum crop looks to be mostly good, although the update noted there is significant variability and some samples show lower test weight, lower protein, and reduced vitreous kernel content.
At 69% complete as of Sunday, the state canola harvest was running 3 points behind last year and 6 points behind average, while the flax harvest, at 85% done, was well ahead of 66% last year and 76% on average.
Just over one-third of the North Dakota dry bean crop was off, behind 54% last year and 49% on average.
The state soybean crop was 8% harvested as of Sunday, equal to last year and a single point behind average, while no corn harvest progress was yet reported. However, corn development in the state is lagging significantly, with only 15% of the crop rated mature as of Sunday, compared 43% last year and 35% on average.
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