Wet field conditions continued to limit fieldwork and harvest operations across Minnesota during the week ending Sunday, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. There were 3.7 days suitable for fieldwork. In addition to limiting harvest opportunities, the consistently wet conditions have raised concerns about mold in corn and soybeans, stalk problems in corn, and rot related to wet soil. While the damp conditions have proved challenging, harvest continues for corn silage, sugarbeets, potatoes, alfalfa hay, and dry edible beans.
Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 0 percent very short, 2 percent short, 62 percent adequate, and 36 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 0 percent very short, 2 percent short, 70 percent adequate, and 28 percent surplus.
Forty-five percent of Minnesota’s corn acreage was mature, 5 days ahead of the five-year average and 3 days ahead of last year. Corn condition rated 84 percent good to excellent. Nearly one-third of the corn for silage acreage was harvested during the week, bringing the total harvested to 67 percent. Ninety-one percent of the soybean crop was turning color, 6 days ahead of average, but 2 days behind last year. Fifty-six percent of the soybean crop was dropping leaves or beyond, 2 days ahead of average. There were scattered reports of soybeans being harvested. Soybean condition rated 79 percent good to excellent. Ninety-four percent of the dry edible bean crop was dropping leaves or beyond. Sixty-one percent of the dry edible bean crop had been harvested, a week ahead of average, but 2 days behind last year. Dry edible bean condition rated 65 percent good to excellent. Sunflower condition rated 58 percent good to excellent. Forty-six percent of the potato acreage had been harvested. Potato condition rated 89 percent good to excellent. Twelve percent of the sugarbeet crop was harvested. Sugarbeet condition rated 84 percent good to excellent, down 3 percentage points from the previous week.
The third cutting of alfalfa hay was 91 percent complete. Pasture condition rated 75 percent good to excellent.
Source: MN Ag Connection