Dry and cool conditions advanced crop maturity and
harvest progress during the week ending October 4,
2020, according to USDA’s National Agricultural
Statistics Service. There were 5.4 days suitable for
fieldwork. Field activities included harvesting corn for
grain, soybeans, corn for silage, potatoes, sugarbeets,
sunflowers, and dry beans.
Topsoil moisture condition rated to 2% very short,
12% short, 80% adequate and 6% surplus. Subsoil
moisture condition rated 3% very short, 12% short, 79%
adequate and 6% surplus.
Corn for grain had reached maturity on 94% of the acres,
three weeks ahead of last year and two weeks ahead of
the 5-year average. The corn for grain harvest was 14%
complete, 18 days ahead of last year and one week ahead
of average. Corn moisture content of grain at harvest
averaged 22%. Corn harvested for silage was nearly
complete at 95% complete, 23 days ahead of last year
and 13 days ahead of normal. Corn condition improved
to 81% good to excellent. Soybean acres were 95%
dropping leaves, 12 days ahead of last year and five days
above average. Soybeans were 61% harvested, 23 days
ahead of last year and 12 days ahead of average. Soybean
condition improved slightly to 79% good to excellent.
Sunflowers were 24% harvested, 25 days ahead of last
year and 6 days ahead of normal. Sunflower condition
improved to 79% good to excellent. The potato harvest
was 87% complete, 13 days ahead of last year and 6 days
ahead of normal. Half of the sugarbeet acres have been
harvested with their condition remaining at 93% good to
excellent.
The dry bean harvest was 88% complete, more than 5
weeks ahead of last year and 5 days above average.
Pasture condition decreased to 53% good to excellent.