Weekly Wheat Update
May 3,2026
Making Progress
Producers were able to make good planting progress on the spring wheat crop as warmer temperatures and windy conditions helped dry out fields over the weekend. This week’s USDA/NASS Crop Progress Report indicates that about a third of North Dakota’s spring wheat acreage has been planted, slightly ahead of average. Planting progress has progressed faster in the western part of the state where soil conditions have been drier. With the cooler temperatures this spring, emergence has been a little slow, with about 7% of the crop emerged.
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While the current US drought monitor indicates most of North Dakota has minimal drought conditions, producers in western areas of the state are indicating very dry conditions. The percent of normal precipitation map below shows western and northern areas of the state have received well below normal precipitation this growing season. For the current week, temperature started out below normal, but forecasts indicate warming temperatures mid-week through the weekend which should allow for good planting conditions. Precipitation chances look minimal.
Looking at the other spring wheat states, planting is nearly complete in South Dakota, well ahead of average. Montana is at 41% complete and Minnesota is at 28%.
Planting of the durum crop is about 13% complete in North Dakota, slightly behind last year and the five-year average. Conditions in much of the durum region are quite dry and very little of the crop has emerged. In Montana, about 18% of the crop has been planted, also behind average and emergence is at 2%.
Wheat Planted by State | 5/3/2026 | Last week | Last year | 5 yr avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
US HRS | 32% | 19% | 42% | 35% |
Minnesota HRS | 20% | 6% | 28% | 32% |
Montana HRS | 35% | 24% | 41% | 24% |
North Dakota HRS | 19% | 7% | 33% | 24% |
South Dakota HRS | 69% | 48% | 92% | 67% |
Montana Durum | 18% | 9% | 27% | 24% |
North Dakota Durum | 13% | 5% | 19% | 17% |
Wheat Emerged by State | 5/3/2026 | Last week | Last year | 5 yr avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Minnesota HRS | 1% | 1% | 4% | 8% |
Montana Durum | 2% | 0% | 3% | n/a |
Montana HRS | 11% | 3% | 4% | 5% |
North Dakota Durum | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
North Dakota HRS | 0% | 0% | 7% | 4% |
South Dakota HRS | 30% | 13% | 42% | 27% |
US HRS | 10% | 5% | 12% | 9% |