Indiana Grain Company, LLC

Posted: 07/18/10

By: tomgrisafi

The recent spell of warm weather has advanced crop development rapidly to a point that all crops are near average in their maturity rate, according to the latest weekly Crop, Livestock and Weather Report from the USDA's National Ag Statistics Service (NASS).

The service noted that as of July 4 post emergence spraying for both broadleaf weeds and wild oats were nearing completion, with 90 and 91 percent of the spraying operations completed, respectively.

Topsoil moisture conditions remained good across the state, with 7 percent of the area reporting short moisture supplies, 79 percent adequate and 14 percent surplus. This compares to the five-year (2005-2009) average at this time of 6 percent very short, 21 percent short, 63 percent adequate and 10 percent surplus.

The service reported small grains developed rapidly and were on an average pace. Fifty-four percent of the barley crop was headed and beyond, spring wheat and oats were 49 percent headed and beyond and 20 percent of the durum crop is headed and beyond, which is less than one week behind the average pace.

As far as small grain crop conditions, 91 percent of the oats were rated good to excellent; spring wheat 86 percent good to excellent; durum wheat 87 percent good to excellent and the barley crop 82 percent good to excellent.

The North Dakota State University (NDSU) Integrated Pest Management (IPM) scout reports for the period ending July 2, indicated the average growth stage of wheat was at head emergence. They reported that tan spot was the most common disease, with an average severity on the flag leaf of about 3 percent, according to Marcia McMullen, NDSU Extension plant pathologist.

The scouts reported the average growth stage for barley was in the fully headed stage and one field had a low level of scab infection.

Other crops raised in the state were also near or ahead of average in their development with the exception of flax, which was estimated to be about a week behind average.

Source: Farm and Ranch Guide