Delays in Montana Slow Spring Wheat Harvest Progress
08.09.2010 11:57 "Agro Perspectiva" (Kyiv) —
Major delays in Montana are continuing to hold back the nationwide spring wheat harvest.
Today’s USDA crop progress report pegged the harvest at 76% complete as of Sunday. That’s up from 69% the previous week and is ahead of last year (56%) but trails the average of 85%.
In Montana, the harvest advanced just 7 points from a week earlier to 38% complete, well behind 56% last year and 82% on average. Producers in North Dakota were also slowed this past week, with the harvest advancing just 6 points to 80% complete, versus 40% last year and 82% on average.
Meanwhile, the harvest is now complete in Minnesota and essentially complete in South Dakota at 99%.
December Chicago wheat ended 6 cents lower at US$7.35 ¼, as profit taking and a higher American dollar pressured the market. Pressure was also said to be coming from reports that Russia may end its ban on grain exports early. Vladimir Putin indicated a week ago that the ban might be extended through the end of next year’s harvest, but the official end date of the ban is still Dec. 31.
This week’s export inspections for wheat were 22.070 million bu down from last week’s revised total of 27.496 million. Inspections need to average 24.134 million bushels each week to reach the USDA’s current export projection.
December Kansas City closed 4 3/4 cents lower at $7.53 and December Minneapolis was 4 1/2 cents lower at $7.53 3/4.
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