SPRING WHEAT PRODUCTION
Spring Wheat Other Than Durum.
Growers produced an estimated 504 million bushels (13.7) million metric tons), down 16
percent from the 1990 production and about the same as in 1989. Yield averaged 33.4 bushels
per acre, down 3.5 bushels per acre from 1990. Area harvested totaled 15.1 million acres
(6.2 million hectares), 6 percent less than the 15.9 million acres (6.8 million hectares) in
1990.
Seeding of the 1991 spring wheat was normal to early in most areas with normal emergence,
except in areas with dry soil where emergence was delayed until moisture was received.
Temperatures were much above normal in April, May, June, and July in the eastern growing
area (eastern Dakotas and Minnesota). Frequent and heavy storms occurred in these growing
areas which caused multiple diseases such as bacteria leaf blight, tan spot, and Fusarium
head blight in eastern S, Dakota, central Minnesota and southeastern N. Dakota. The Montana
crop growing conditions were some of the best in years, as evidenced by their high yields.
Therefore yields varied widely depending upon the growing conditions the crop encountered.
Harvest was normal in most areas with little sprouting problems. Grain in the eastern
growing region was low in test weight and often poorly filled. Much of the loss in yield was
caused probably first by the relatively high temperatures (especially night) encountered
which reduced yield potential and diseases which further reduced yield and quality.
The 1991 Spring Wheat Crop
The Statistical Reporting Service, USDA, preliminary report:
SPRING WHEAT OTHER THAN DURUM
Acres (1000) Yield (Bu/A) Bushels (1000)
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State 1989 1990 1991 1989 1990 1991 1989 1990 1991
Minnesota 2,550 2,750 2,070 38.0 49.0 31.0 96,900 134,750 64,170
Montana 3,400 2,450 2,400 26.0 23.0 34.0 88,400 56,350 81,600
North Dakota 7,400 7,700 6,850 24.0 36.0 31.0 177,600 277,200 212,350
South Dakota 2,100 2,100 1,750 22.0 32.0 28.0 46,200 67,200 49,000
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U.S.A. 17,214 15,875 15,100 29.3 36.9 33.4 504,759 585,864 504,565