Key facts
- The Wheat Quality Council's Spring Wheat and Durum Tour examined over 300 fields.
- Crop variability was noted, with conditions largely dependent on planting dates.
- Later planted wheat showed better potential, provided it had enough time to mature.
- The estimated average hard red spring wheat yield is 47.4 bushels per acre.
- This yield estimate is slightly lower than the 2022 estimate of 49.1 bushels per acre.
- An average crop with good quality is anticipated for North Dakota wheat farmers.
Scouts participating in the Wheat Quality Council's Spring Wheat and Durum Tour observed significant variability in the 2023 crop across North Dakota and western Minnesota. The tour, which examined over 300 fields, found that crop conditions and maturity were largely dependent on planting dates. Peter Laudeman, USW's Director of Trade Policy, noted that later planted wheat generally showed better potential, contingent on having enough time to mature.
Participants contributed field measurements to help formulate yield estimates. The tour concluded with presentations by the Northern Crops Institute at North Dakota State University. Overall reports suggest that North Dakota wheat farmers are expected to harvest an average crop with good quality this summer. The estimated average hard red spring wheat yield for the tour was 47.4 bushels per acre, a slight decrease from the 2022 tour's estimate of 49.1 bushels per acre. The event aims to provide insight and education about the crop's potential and the assessment process.