MN Crop Progress

Above average temperatures and rainfall advanced crop
development during the week ending July 19, 2020,
according USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics
Service. There were 5.1 days suitable for fieldwork.
Sporadic strong winds, hail, and flooding were reported
to have damaged some crops and reduced overall
condition. Field activities included cutting hay and
readying equipment for small grain harvest.
Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 1% very short,
8% short, 77% adequate and 14% surplus. Subsoil
moisture supplies were rated 1% very short, 7% short,
81% adequate and 11% surplus.
Silked corn, at 70%, was 6 days ahead of the 5-year
average. Scattered accounts of corn reaching the dough
stage were reported. Corn condition declined slightly to
at 83% good to excellent. Soybeans blooming reached
81% this week, 13 days ahead of last year and one week
ahead of normal. Soybeans were 29% setting pods,
12 days ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of the
average. Soybean condition declined slightly to 80%
good to excellent.
Spring wheat headed was nearly complete at 98%.
Spring wheat turning color was one week behind normal
at 32%. Spring wheat condition was down slightly to
73% good to excellent. Oats turning color, at 78%, was
8 days ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of average.
The oat harvest was 7% complete with 68% of the crop
good to excellent. Barley was 56% coloring. Barley
condition dropped to 70% good to excellent.
Sunflower condition rating decreased to 67% good to
excellent. Potato condition decreased to 90% good to
excellent. Sugarbeet condition declined slightly to 94%
good to excellent. Dry beans blooming progress
advanced to 81%, with 31% setting pods and condition
down slightly to 85% good to excellent.
Minnesota’s second cutting of alfalfa hay was 71%
complete, 6 days ahead of last year and 1 day ahead of
average. All hay condition declined slightly to 60% good
to excellent. Pasture conditions declined slightly to 60%
good to excellent.