MN Crop Progress

Warm, dry conditions allowed for the rapid harvest of
small grain crops the week ending August 23, 2020,
according USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics
Service. There were 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork.
Other field activities included cutting hay and harvesting
potatoes, fruits and vegetables.
Statewide topsoil moisture condition rated 3% very
short, 13% short, 74% adequate and 10% surplus.
Subsoil moisture condition rated 3% very short, 10%
short, 79% adequate and 8% surplus.
Corn had reached the dough stage or beyond on 91% of
the acres, 17 days ahead of last year and one week ahead
of the 5-year average. Corn acreage was 33% at or
beyond the dent stage, 13 days ahead of last year and
2 days ahead of average. Harvesting corn silage was
reported in areas short of feed supplies. Corn condition
dropped slightly to 82% good to excellent. Soybeans
were 7% turning color, 9 days ahead of last year but
equal to average. Soybean condition also rated 82% good
to excellent.
Nearly one-quarter of the spring wheat acres were
harvested last week, advancing the total progress to 54%
complete. This was 5 days ahead of last year but 5 days
behind normal. The oat harvest was 88% complete, 9
days ahead of last year and 6 days ahead of average.
Barley for grain harvest was 89% complete, 8 days
ahead of last year and 2 days ahead of normal.
Sunflower condition declined slightly to 72% good to
excellent. The potato harvest advanced 2 percentage
points to 23% complete, remaining well ahead of last
year and normal. Potato condition rated 92% good to
excellent. Sugarbeet condition remained at 93% good to
excellent. Dry beans dropping leaves was at 29% with
condition improving to 82% good to excellent.
Minnesota’s second cutting of alfalfa hay was nearly
complete at 97% cut. Pasture condition decreased to
59% good to excellent.