The Idaho Wheat Commission

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, U.S. — With the soft red winter wheat (SRW) and hard red winter wheat (HRW) harvests all but in the bin and combines cutting through the hard red spring (HRS) and soft white (SW) fields, the U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) said it is learning more about the availability and quality of exportable U.S. supplies.

Staff from state wheat commissions gave reports on new crop progress and quality at the recent USW World Staff Conference. Here is a current summary:

• HRW — Aaron Harries, director of marketing for the Kansas Wheat Commission said HRW yields and quality are generally better in 2008-09 compared to 2007-08. Moisture content is slightly lower and average protein is up six points to 12.3% (12% moisture basis). Grade data shows average test weight and 1,000 kernel counts are higher with lower total defects that together point to an average #1 grade. "It is really a tale of two crops," Harries said. "In the eastern regions of the HRW production area, the crop was quite good but yields were way down in the west where rainfall was well below normal."

• SRW — The world has a very large supply of U.S. SRW and similar classes grown in other countries. "Stocks are expected to be two and a half times higher than last year," said Joe Sowers, USW senior market analyst. U.S. SRW quality on average is similar to 2007-08. Average protein is down somewhat to 9.8% and falling number is 332 compared to last year’s 344. This crop grades #2 on average as did the 2007-08 crop.

• HRS/Durum — 35% of the U.S. HRS crop has been harvested, still behind average about 20 points, the North Dakota Wheat Commission (NDWC) reported this week. Yields for dark northern spring wheat vary widely with an excellent crop in the east and dry conditions holding down production in the west. Protein appears to be mostly in the 13-14.5% range, with some reports of protein above 15%. No major disease damage issues have been reported. More detailed harvest data should be available next week, as we get further into harvest and data is available from the HRS Wheat Quality Survey.

NDWC also noted that the Northern durum harvest is running at or ahead of average with 28% of the North Dakota crop harvested and 40% of the Montana crop harvested. As expected, yields in most areas are lower than average and test weights are lower as well. Protein ranges from 15-18%. In areas where yields fared better, test weights are much improved with some reports of test weights at 59 pounds per bushel (76.9 kilograms per hectoliter) or slightly higher. For the most part, the color of the harvested durum crop looks good. The U.S. is expected to produce about 2.4 million tonnes or 20% more total durum this year.

• SW — Glen Squires, vice-president of the Washington Wheat Commission, said very early samples show test weights running between 77.6 and 80.2 kg/hl (59.5 to 61 pound/bushel) and protein at an average of 10.9%. Overall, he reported that yields are expected to be down somewhat compared to 2007-08 because of dry conditions and temperatures on a roller coaster. "We had a late, cold spring that turned hot early but there were several areas that had frost and even a freeze in July," he said. With more hectares planted, supply is expected to be up to 11% higher, but that is still significantly below the five-year average. "We see more and more HRW being planted in the Pacific Northwest," Squires said.

The USW plans to share this information in more detail over the next several weeks at its annual series of Crop Quality Seminars. Contact a local USW representative or regional office for more information about timing and location.