The early planted acres look quite good, but the late fields may be flirting with frost. Second alfalfa cutting is well underway, delayed by wet conditions. We have a good stand of canola, soybeans and grain, despite the scab. A week of mostly above normal temperatures and dry conditions pushed development of all crops one to two weeks ahead of average, according to the North Dakota Ag Statistics Service. Most crop conditions however, declined slightly, and wheat midge concerns in the spring wheat crop remain high.
Wheat midge are at threatening levels.
The hard red winter wheat protein content and hard red spring wheat growing conditions point toward protein premiums increasing into fall, likely from September to November. This was the average protein content from 4,431 car lot samples, representing 65 counties. These projections are based on a protein premium average of 30 cents for July and previous peaks in protein premiums. The premium was 30 cents on July 7. Last year's average wheat yield for North Dakota was 25 bushels.