USDA Weekly Crop Progress

By Cheri Zagurski
DTN Managing Editor
and
Russ Quinn
DTN Staff Reporter

OMAHA (DTN) -- Winter wheat conditions across the country worsened in the week ending April 10, according to USDA's latest Crop Progress report.

Nine percent of the crop is now rated poor to very poor, compared to 7% last week. In addition, the first heading progress number of 2016 was released at 4%, compared to 5% last year and a 7% average.

"USDA also said 56% of winter wheat was rated good to excellent, resulting in a 10-point decline in the DTN Winter Wheat Condition Index to 144," said DTN Analyst Todd Hultman. "DTN's index is up from 106 a year ago and well above the five-year average of 89. Monday's report is neutral-to-bearish for winter wheat."

Spring wheat is 13% planted, compared to 14% last week and a 10% five-year average. "Monday's report is also neutral-to-bearish for spring wheat," Hultman said.

Corn planting also made its 2016 debut on this week's report at 4%, compared to only 1% last year and equal to the five-year average. "Monday's report should be viewed as neutral for corn," Hultman said.

Cotton planting is going slowly, 5% complete compared to 3% last week, 4% last year and a 7% five-year average. Rice is 32% planted and 12% emerged, compared to 16% and 7% last week, respectively, 23% and 7% last year, and five-year averages of 26% and 9%.

Sorghum is 15% planted, compared to 13% last week, 14% last year and a 17% average. Oats are 38% planted and 26% emerged, compared to 29% and 24% last week, respectively, 40% and 27% last year, and 42% and 32% averages.

Barley is 19% planted, compared to 6% last week, 22% last year and 15% on average.

The following are highlights from weekly crop progress reports issued by National Ag Statistics Service offices in individual states. To view the full reports from each state, visit http://www.nass.usda.gov/…

Colorado

Field activity gained momentum as conditions last week were generally dry with a marked increase in cooler temperatures. Districts in southwest Colorado experienced high winds with dry conditions, resulting in increased field activity and a net decline in soil moisture. There were 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture was 10% very short, 24% short, 62% adequate and 4% surplus. Subsoil moisture was 9% very short, 24% short, 64% adequate and 3% surplus. Winter wheat 18% jointed while 7% was being pastured. Crop condition for winter wheat was 16% very poor to poor, 31% fair and 53% good to excellent. Spring wheat was 9% while barley was 14% planted.

Illinois

Significantly cooler temperatures, with temperatures dipping below freezing in some areas, have kept most producers from planting until the soil warms up. Fieldwork continues and the spring calving season has started. Statewide, the average temperature was 41.1 degrees, 6.3 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 0.54 inch, 0.17 inch below normal. There were 2.4 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending April 10. Topsoil moisture supply was rated at 2% short, 74% adequate, and 24% surplus. Subsoil moisture supply was rated at 3% short, 82% adequate and 15% surplus. Corn planted was at 2%, compared to the five-year average of 6%. Winter wheat headed reached 1%, behind the five-year average of 3%. Winter wheat condition was rated 6% very poor and poor, 28% fair and 66% good to excellent. Oats planted jumped to 32%, up 19% points from last week.

Indiana

Farmers were kept out of the fields most of this week due to a continuation of very cold and wet weather. Below-average temperatures brought a wintry mix to the state, and in some cases, snow accumulation. Much of the precipitation occurred in northern Indiana, with the statewide average at 0.78 inch for the week. Days suitable for fieldwork was 1.1, down 0.8 from the previous week. Topsoil moisture was 0% very short, 1% short, 58% adequate and 41% surplus. Subsoil moisture was 0% very short, 2% short, 67% adequate and 31% surplus. Several fields continued to be oversaturated with moisture, leading to ponding in low-lying areas. Although there were some reports of drown out in winter wheat fields, 79% of the crop remains in good-to-excellent condition, 19% was fair condition and 3% very poor to poor. The cold temperatures have slowed the growth progress for wheat, but any crop damage from the cold snap remains unclear at this time. Farmers focused on other activities this week such as working on machinery, fixing tile lines, hauling grain, calving, preparing farm equipment for spring plantings and enrolling in 2016 FSA programs.

Iowa

High winds and frequent showers kept many Iowa producers out of their fields during the week ending April 10. Statewide, there were 3.1 days suitable for fieldwork. West-central and southwest Iowa led the way with 4.7 days suitable for fieldwork. Field activities included anhydrous and manure applications. Farmers were also getting equipment ready for planting as they waited for warmer weather. Topsoil moisture levels rated 0% very short, 3% short, 84% adequate and 13% surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 0% very short, 1% short, 87% adequate and 12% surplus. Thirty percent of the state's expected oat crop has been planted, with the five-year average being 37%. Oats emerged reached 3%, equal to last year but almost a week behind normal.

Kansas

For the week ending April 10, temperatures were 2 to 6 degrees above normal. The state received little to no moisture and experienced high winds. Reporters indicated that the lack of moisture was having a negative effect on winter wheat. Winter wheat condition rated 11% very poor to poor, 39% fair and 50% good to excellent. Winter wheat jointed was 60%, well ahead of 39% last year and ahead of the five-year average of 41%. Corn planted was 17%, ahead of 12% last year and 7% average. There were 6.6 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture rated 17% very short, 43% short, 39% adequate and 1% surplus. Subsoil moisture rated 12% very short, 36% short, 51% adequate and 1% surplus.

Michigan

There were 0.4 day suitable for fieldwork in Michigan during the week ending April 10. Cooler, wet weather continued throughout the week across the entire state. Daily average temperatures ranged from the upper teens and 20s in the north to the low 30s in the south. Most areas of the state saw daily precipitation in the form of both rain, sleet, and/or snow, adding moisture to already saturated fields. Winter wheat was 7% very poor to poor, 21% fair and 72% good to excellent. Winter wheat was 2% jointed. Some reporters expressed concern that winter wheat fields that were greening up two weeks ago have turned color from the cold weather and excess moisture, as if the crop were going back into dormancy. Others expressed concern that winter wheat quality was declining due to ponding, ice sheeting and expected flooding to come. Topsoil moisture was 0% very short to short, 27% adequate and 73% surplus. Subsoil moisture was 0% very short, 2% short, 50% adequate and 48% surplus. No significant early planting of field crops has begun. Fields that didn't have a cover crop were too muddy and wet to do any work. Some operations spread manure on well-drained soils, and other fertilizers were applied to frozen ground in anticipation of warmer temperatures to come.

Minnesota

Below-normal temperatures and intermittent precipitation limited field activities across Minnesota with only 1.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending April 10. Field activities for the week included spreading manure, applying anhydrous and fertilizer and tilling fields. Low soil temperatures prevented widespread planting of small grains. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 1% very short, 12% short, 77% adequate and 10% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 1% very short, 9% short, 82% adequate and 8% surplus. Eight percent of Minnesota's oat acreage has been planted, five days behind the five-year average, but only three days behind last year. Spring wheat plantings are estimated at 5% with 10% being the five-year average. There were scattered reports of barley and spring wheat being planted, except in the northern part of the state.

Missouri

Temperatures averaged 50.3 degrees, 0.5 degree below normal. Precipitation averaged 0.28 inch statewide, 0.46 inch below normal. There were 5.1 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 4% very short, 14% short, 77% adequate and 5% surplus. Subsoil moisture supply was rated 4% very short, 14% short, 79% adequate and 3% surplus. Corn planting was 24% complete, 21 percentage points ahead of last year and 14 percentage points ahead of the five-year average. Winter wheat condition was rated 65% good to excellent. Spring tillage was 48% complete compared to 12% for the five-year average.

Nebraska

Temperatures throughout most of Nebraska averaged 2 to 8 degrees above normal. The state received minimal amounts of precipitation. However, high winds limited fieldwork activities such as spraying and spreading fertilizer. There were 6.0 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 7% very short, 26% short, 66% adequate and 1% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 3% very short, 20% short, 75% adequate and 2% surplus. Winter wheat jointed was at 10%. Winter wheat condition was rated 57% good to excellent. Oats planted was at 50%, ahead of 44% for the five-year average, and emerged was at 2%, behind 8% average.

North Dakota

Cold, windy conditions prevented most fieldwork across the state. A small amount of spring wheat was planted in some southern areas of the state. However, most producers were waiting for warmer weather to increase soil temperatures. Temperatures averaged 2 to 6 degrees above normal in the west but 2 to 8 degrees below normal in the east. Reports indicated that, on average, producers intended to begin fieldwork by April 11. There were 3.6 days suitable for fieldwork this past week. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 7% very short, 28% short, 63% adequate and 2% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 5% very short, 28% short, 64% adequate and 3% surplus. Winter wheat condition was rated 57% good to excellent. Durum wheat planted was 1%, near the five-year average of 2%. Spring wheat planted was 5%, near 4% last year, but equal to the average.

Ohio

Continued precipitation and cold temperatures kept farmers out of their fields this past week. There were was 0.6 day suitable for fieldwork for the week. Some areas saw up to 3 inches of snow during the weekend, continuing the pattern of cold temperatures. Statewide, topsoil moisture was rated 1% short, 45% adequate and 54% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 3% short, 59% adequate and 38% surplus. No corn was reported planted as of Sunday, compared to 1% last year and 1% for the five-year average. Winter wheat jointing was 22%, and the condition of the crop was rated 80% good to excellent. Oats were 8% planted and 3% emerged.

Oklahoma

The state saw warmer, drier weather the first week of April. Precipitation averaged 0.29 inch across the state, ranging from 0.01 inch in the panhandle district to 0.99 inch in the southwest district. Statewide, temperatures averaged in the low 60s, with the lowest recording of 26 degrees at Kenton on April 6 and the highest recording of 91 degrees at Beaver on April 5. Statewide, topsoil moisture was rated 12% very short, 37% short, 48% adequate and 3% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 5% very short, 27% short, 66% adequate and 2% surplus. Winter wheat jointing reached 82%, up 3 points from normal. Winter wheat condition was rated 54% good to excellent. Canola blooming reached 40%, up 3 points from the previous year and down 15 points from normal. Corn was 17% planted as of Sunday, up from 15% last year but behind the five-year average of 25%.

South Dakota

Cool temperatures and strong winds persisted across the state this past week. High-wind warnings and advisories were common throughout the week as wind speeds of 20 to 40 miles per hour with higher gusts affected most of the state. Minimal precipitation was received statewide; however, the cool weather slowed spring tillage and small-grain seeding. There were 4.9 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 6% very short, 23% short, 68% adequate and 3% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 6% very short, 23% short, 69% adequate and 2% surplus. Winter wheat condition was rated 64% good to excellent. Spring wheat planted was at 29%, ahead of the five-year average of 22%. Oats planted was at 31%, ahead of 24% average. Emerged was at 3%.

Texas

Dry and windy conditions were reported throughout most of the state during the early part of the week. Toward the end of the week, trace amounts of precipitation and foggy weather were observed. Parts of the high and low plains and the Blacklands received a half an inch to an inch of precipitation. The remainder of the state observed only trace amounts to a quarter of an inch of precipitation. Statewide, topsoil moisture was rated 10% very short, 43% short, 43% adequate and 4% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 5% very short, 30% short, 60% adequate and 5% surplus. The state's corn crop was 46% planted, behind the average pace of 52%, and 33% of corn was emerged. Cotton was 8% planted, behind the average of 10%. Rice was 65% planted and 44% emerged. Sorghum was 40% planted, behind the average of 46%. Winter wheat was 20% headed, slightly behind the average pace of 22%. Wheat conditions were rated 45% good to excellent.

Wisconsin

Temperatures were below normal again this past week, with overnight lows falling into the teens and low 20s statewide. Light rain, snow, and cold, overcast conditions provided little opportunity for fields to dry out. Statewide, topsoil moisture was wetter than the previous week, with 1% short, 54% adequate and 45% surplus. Subsoil moisture was 1% short, 62% adequate and 37% surplus. As of Sunday, spring tillage was 2% complete statewide, 1 percentage point below last year and 3 percentage points below the five-year average. Winter wheat was rated 79% in good-to-excellent condition statewide, unchanged from the previous week.

National Crop Progress Summary
	This	Last	Last	5-Yr
	Week	Week	Year	Avg
Corn Planted	4	NA	1	4
Winter Wheat Headed	4	NA	5	7
Spring Wheat Planted	13	NA	14	10
Cotton Planted	5	3	4	7
Sorghum Planted	15	13	14	17
Oats Planted	38	29	40	42
Oats Emerged	26	24	27	32
Barley Planted	19	6	22	15
Rice Planted	32	16	23	26
Rice Emerged	12	7	7	9

National Crop Condition Summary
(VP=Very Poor; P=Poor; F=Fair; G=Good; E=Excellent)
	This Week						Last Week						Last Year
	VP	P	F	G	E		VP	P	F	G	E		VP	P	F	G	E
Winter Wht	2	7	35	48	8		1	6	34	49	10		5	14	39	35	7

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