Damage to both quality and yield from diseases is expected to be worse in the Northern Valley as opposed to the Southern Valley. The later harvest in more western areas is expected to still yield well below normal yields but overall quality is expected to remain good with expectations for further improvements in test weights and a decline in immature kernels. DON levels are low here, 0.5 to 3 ppm, but are more wide spread than last year which was our worst year for scab to date. DON are 50 to 70 cents a bushel that takes the malt price close to the feed price. Durum yields with yields 18 to 25 bushels are common.
Test weights are lower than average.
There is some 62 pound durum, but most of it is ranging from 55 to 58 pounds. Wheat yields have been higher than durum so far which is starting to show the impact of scab and septoria on durum, says McKay. Crambe yields have been very good so far with the lowest report of 1400 pounds per acre to as high as 2000 pounds. Early canola yields are also incouraging with 20 to 22 bushels to as high as 30 being reported. Yields should even increase as canola harvest picks up.