MWBC Crop Conditions: Conditions Digress
According to NASS: Dry conditions and warm temperatures were observed across Montana last week, according to the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA. Topsoil moisture conditions were 49 percent adequate to surplus. Subsoil moisture conditions were 44 percent adequate to surplus. Barley planted is almost complete, with an estimated 96 percent planted, slightly behind the 5-year average of 97 percent. Corn planting continued, with an estimated 73 percent of the crop planted, behind both the previous year and 5-year average of 90 percent and 91 percent, respectively. Planting of dry edible beans picked up this week, with an estimated 85 percent of the crop planted. Spring wheat planted was reported at 98 percent complete. Winter wheat conditions were rated as 33 percent good to excellent compared to 80 percent this time last year.
Conditions continue to digress week over week. Grasshoppers are now the big topic, large populations while crops are green can be a detriment to small grains. Previously we thought the rains during hatchings would slow down the populations, but we are hearing they are out in large numbers early.
Charlie Bumgarner from the southern part of the golden triangle has experienced wind and drought stress over the last week. While the heat is welcomed barley and peas are struggling with minimal moisture. “No bumper crop coming” said Bumgarner
Chris Kolstad from the Chester area said they have seen some timely rains on their farm, feeling slightly more optimistic than the rest. While just south of Chris, Mike O’Hara near the Fort Benton area is now quite concerned about grasshoppers.
Rains are often spotty, and some are more fortunate than others, the eastern part of the state has baseball size hail and fire dangers coming up this weekend.
Yesterday MWBC hosted a group of pulse start up buyers from the middle east. This group is seeing the pulse market point toward Montana production. Learning about the wheat and barley market can help them make better decisions. With interests in possibly investing in assets in the state, meetings like yesterday are a great way MWBC and the department of ag are a great start in learning about the industry.
In partnership with western ag network, Montana Department of Ag, and Agristudios we have been releasing stunning videos of what producers are experiencing this growing season. We encourage you to look at our Virtual Experience page. We are headed out tomorrow to spotlight the Moccasin area to take a look at what the barley crop is looking like.
MWBC's return on investment in the last 5-years for spring wheat is proving to add value in a way that is often overlooked: Quality. Buyers look to the treasure state to blend our high milling and baking qualities into lesser qualities. This strategy has added a .19 cent premium totaling an additional $84.5 Million in the pockets of our producers over the last 5 years. The term "added value" is often used by raw commodity processors while that brings additional value to Montana. Producers investment in research and marketing has been adding value since 1967. Shipping out our spring wheat in efficient high volume methods is adding BIG value to the state. Stay tuned next week for the even more impressive value added winter wheat chart.
Field days are back on! Look at the schedule CLICK HERE
If you need help sourcing wheat and barley ingredients for your business, we would love to help. We will connect you with several options that provide numerous methods of delivery. All our wheat and barley suppliers can conduct negotiations virtually to fit your country or states regulations if needed, otherwise social distancing is not a problem out here
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