Warm and dry conditions advanced row crop
development during the week ending August 9, 2020,
according USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics
Service. There were 5.8 days suitable for fieldwork, the
most so far this season. Field activities included cutting
hay and harvesting small grains, potatoes, fruits and
vegetables.
Topsoil moisture condition rated 3% very short,
14% short, 74% adequate and 9% surplus. Subsoil
moisture condition rated 2% very short, 10% short, 79%
adequate and 9% surplus.
Corn was 62% in the dough stage or beyond, 12 days
ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of the 5-year average.
Corn condition rated 84% good to excellent. Soybeans
setting pods reached 91%, almost 2 weeks ahead of last
year and over a week ahead of the average. Soybean
condition rated 84% good to excellent.
Spring wheat coloring was nearly complete at 98% with
harvest 19% complete, 11 days ahead of last year but 2
days behind normal. Spring wheat condition rated 75%
good to excellent. The oat harvest was 64% complete,
13 days ahead of last year and 1 week ahead of average.
Barley for grain was 39% harvested. Barley condition
rated 74% good to excellent.
Sunflower condition declined to 73% good to excellent.
The potato harvest was over 2 weeks ahead of both last
year and the average at 18% complete. Potato condition
rated at 89% good to excellent. Sugarbeet condition
remained at 93% good to excellent. Dry beans setting
pods reached 94%. Dry bean condition declined to 80%
good to excellent.
Minnesota’s second cutting of alfalfa hay was 91%
complete. Pasture condition decreased to 65% good to
excellent.