COMMENTS ON GROWING CONDITIONS
 
 Most cooperators furnished brief descriptions of growing conditions and they are 
 summarized here and in Table 5-1 to aid in data interpretation.
 
 North Dakota - The planting dates were normal and excellent soil moisture conditions 
 existed at planting time. Fertilizer was applied according to soil tests. Seasonal 
 precipitation was normal except at Dickinson and Fargo where it was 75 and 37 percent, 
 respectively, of normal. Harvest dates were earlier than normal where maturity was hastened by 
 July drought. Carrington plots were destroyed by hail.
 
 Montana - Performance of entries and planting and harvesting dates appeared normal.
 
 South Dakota - Planting and harvest dates were earlier than normal. Rainfall
 was much below normal based on yield levels obtained.
 
 Minnesota - Planting date was normal. Hot dry weather was dominant during the season. 
 Durum yield levels obtained were below past years. Crookston plots were not harvested due to 
 severe drought.
 
 Wyoming - (Sheridan) Planting date was normal. Rainfall was normal during April, May and 
 first part of June, while the rest of season was below normal. Torrington plots were not 
 harvested due to damage by hail.
 	
 	Manitoba - Planting date was about normal. Growing season comprised of a very dry May, 
 excess rains in June, and followed by a prolonged dry spell. Temperatures were moderate, few 
 days above 90 degrees F. There was considerable leaf rust in the plots.
 
 Saskatchewan - Planting date was normal. April and May were drier, warmer, and sunnier than 
 normal, June was wetter than normal, July was average, and August was warm, dry and sunny.
 
 CONCLUSION
 
 SPRING WHEAT OTHER THAN DURUM: Production of spring wheat other than durum in 1976 totaled a 
 recor2 high 446 million bushels, 25 percent above the 1975 crop and 37 percent above the 
 weather-plagued 1974 crop. Acreage harvested in 1976 is estimated at 16.7 million acres, 25 
 percent above the previous year and 15 percent above the 1974 acreage. Planted acres for 1976 
 totaled 17.8 million, up 26 percent from the previous year. The average yield of 26.7 bushels 
 was slightly below the previous year and 4.0 bushels below the record high yield of 30.7 
 bushels.
 
 Seeding of 1976 spring wheat in major growing areas was completed much earlier than normal due 
 to dry weather conditions in early spring. Seeding was virtually complete by mid-May in 
 Minnesota and South Dakota and by May 25 in North Dakota and Montana. The crop in Minnesota and 
 the Dakotas was under stress during June and July from soil moisture shortages. Yields in South 
 Dakota averaged 11 bushels per acre, compared with 18 in 1975. Harvest started ahead of normal, 
 made rapid progress and was virtually complete by mid-August in South Dakota and by 
 mid-September in North Dakota and Montana.