MN Crop Progess

Another hot, dry week gave Minnesota farmers 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending September 3, 2023, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Fieldwork included harvest of small grains and sugarbeets and chopping corn for silage. Some cattle and poultry losses were reported due to the heat. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 28 percent very short, 43 percent short, 29 percent adequate, and 0 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 24 percent very short, 48 percent short, 28 percent adequate, and 0 percent surplus. Corn in the dough stage reached 97 percent, 8 days ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of the 5-year average. The dent stage reached 71 percent and the crop was 11 percent mature. Corn condition rating dropped to 39 percent good to excellent. Corn for silage harvest reached 31 percent. Soybeans turning color were at 48 percent, 1 week ahead of last year and 3 days ahead of the 5-year average. Soybeans dropping leaves reached 12 percent. Soybean condition was 47 percent good to excellent. Barley was 87 percent harvested, oats were 95 percent harvested, and spring wheat was 85 percent harvested. Dry edible beans reached 70 percent dropping leaves. Dry edible beans condition was 58 percent good to excellent. The potato crop was 19 percent harvested with condition of the crop rating 85 percent good to excellent. Sugarbeet harvest was at 6 percent and the condition was rated 93 percent good to excellent. Sunflower condition was 64 percent good to excellent.