MN Crop Progress
Cool, damp conditions slowed crop maturity in
Southern Minnesota while other areas received a heavy
frost during the week ending September 13, 2020,
according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics
Service. There were 4.8 days suitable for fieldwork.
Field activities included harvesting potatoes,
sugarbeets, dry beans, and corn for silage.
Topsoil moisture condition rated to 2% very short,
8% short, 80% adequate and 10% surplus. Subsoil
moisture condition rated 3% very short, 10% short,
78% adequate and 9% surplus.
Corn had reached the dent stage or beyond on 95% of
the acres, 24 days ahead of last year and 2 weeks ahead
of the 5-year average. Corn was 45% mature, 25 days
ahead of last year and 11 days ahead of average. Corn
harvested for silage reached 66% complete, 26 days
ahead of last year and 11 days ahead of normal. Corn
condition dropped to 76% good to excellent, its lowest
rating so far this year compared to last week’s 78%.
Soybeans were 85% turning color, remaining 2 weeks
ahead of last year and 6 days above average. Soybean
acres were 41% dropping leaves, 11 days ahead of last
year and 3 days above average. Soybean condition
dropped to its lowest rating of the year to 77% good to
excellent compared to last week’s 79%.
Spring wheat acres were 97% harvested, 15 days
ahead of last year. Sunflower condition increased to its
best rating of the year at 82% good to excellent
compared to last week’s previous high of 76%. The
potato harvest advanced 8 percentage points to 38%
complete, 10 days ahead of last year and 1 day ahead of
normal. Potato condition remained at 92% good to
excellent. Ten percent of the sugarbeet acres have been
harvested with condition remaining at 93% good to
excellent.
Dry beans dropping leaves was at 85%, 6 days ahead
of last year but 2 days behind average. The dry bean
harvest was 20% compete, 9 days ahead of last year but
5 days behind average. Dry bean condition declined
slightly to 81% good to excellent. Pasture condition
increased slightly to 59% good to excellent.