Early findings from the annual Wheat Quality Council crop tour suggest North Dakota's spring wheat crop may produce lower yields than last year, as dry conditions continue to affect portions of the northern Plains. Scouts estimated average yields in southern North Dakota at about 46 bushels per acre during the tour's first day, down from last year's estimates and below some pre-tour expectations. Participants reported highly variable field conditions, with some areas benefiting from timely rains while others showed signs of drought stress. USDA recently rated much of North Dakota's spring wheat crop in good-to-excellent condition, though portions of the state remain under varying degrees of drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. North Dakota typically accounts for nearly half of U.S. spring wheat production. Market analysts said the tour results could influence wheat futures if subsequent tour days confirm lower production potential. The Wheat Quality Council's three-day tour provides one of the industry's most closely watched private estimates ahead of harvest.
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