MN Crop Progress
Heavy wind and rain damaged crops in some areas of
Minnesota but boosted soil moisture supplies and
pasture condition statewide during the week ending July
26, 2020, according USDA’s National Agricultural
Statistics Service. There were 5.1 days suitable for
fieldwork. Field activities included cutting hay and
harvesting small grains.
Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 2% very short,
7% short, 73% adequate and 18% surplus. Subsoil
moisture supplies were rated 1% very short, 6% short,
80% adequate and 13% surplus.
Silked corn, at 90%, was 13 days ahead of last year and
8 days ahead of the 5-year average. Corn was 15% at the
dough stage, 9 days ahead of last year and 4 days ahead
of average. Corn condition improved slightly to 84%
good to excellent. Soybeans blooming reached 89% this
week, 9 days ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of
normal. Soybeans were 55% setting pods, 10 days ahead
of last year and 5 days ahead of the average. Soybean
condition improved to 84% good to excellent.
Spring wheat turning color was 2 days behind normal at
72%. There were scattered reports that the wheat harvest
had begun. Spring wheat condition improved slightly to
75% good to excellent. Oats turning color, at 90%, was
6 days ahead of last year and 3 days ahead of average.
The oat harvest was 19% complete, 12 days ahead of last
year and 5 days ahead of average. The oat crop condition
improved to 72% good to excellent. Barley was 87%
coloring with some reports of harvest underway. Barley
condition improved to 75% good to excellent.
Sunflower condition rating increased to 74% good to
excellent. The Potato harvest was 8% completed. Potato
condition decreased slightly to 89% good to excellent.
Sugarbeet condition declined slightly to 92% good to
excellent. Dry beans blooming progress advanced to
88%, with 57% setting pods. Dry bean condition
dropped to 81% good to excellent.
Minnesota’s second cutting of alfalfa hay was 79%
complete, 3 days ahead of last year but 2 days behind
average. Pasture condition increased to 71% good to
excellent.