MN Crop Progress

Dry conditions in northern Minnesota allowed for
significant advancement of wheat harvest progress
during the week ending August 30, 2020, according to
USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. There
were 5.5 days suitable for fieldwork. Other field
activities included harvesting corn for silage and cutting
hay.
Rain in Central Minnesota slightly increased the
statewide topsoil moisture condition to 3% very short,
11% short, 77% adequate and 9% surplus. Subsoil
moisture condition rated 3% very short, 11% short, 78%
adequate and 8% surplus.
Corn had reached the dough stage or beyond on 97% of
the acres, remaining well ahead of last year and 9 days
ahead of the 5-year average. Corn acreage was 63% at or
beyond the dent stage, 16 days ahead of last year and
5 days ahead of average. There were scattered reports of
corn starting to mature. Corn harvested for silage
reached 15% complete, 19 days ahead of last year and
one week ahead of normal. Corn condition dropped to
79% good to excellent, its lowest rating so far this year
compared to the previous low of 81% during the third
week of May. Soybeans were 25% turning color, 10
days ahead of last year and 3 days above average.
Scattered accounts of soybeans dropping leaves were
reported. Soybean condition dropped to 80% good to
excellent, tying the lowest rating this year.
Nearly one-third of the spring wheat acres were
harvested last week, advancing the total progress to 85%
complete. This was 17 days ahead of last year and 1 day
ahead of normal. The oat and barley harvests were
nearly finished at 94% and 95% complete, respectively.
Sunflower condition increased to 75% good to
excellent. The potato harvest advanced 3 percentage
points to 26% complete, remaining ahead of last year and
normal. Potato condition rated 92% good to excellent.
Six percent of the sugarbeet acres have been harvested
with condition remaining at 93% good to excellent. Dry
beans dropping leaves was at 42% with condition
improving to 83% good to excellent. Pasture condition
decreased to 57% good to excellent.