MN Crop Progress

Sunshine and much warmer than normal temperatures
allowed for a rapid corn harvest pace throughout
Minnesota during the week ending November 8, 2020,
according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics
Service. There were 6.4 days suitable for fieldwork, the
second most of the year. The University of Minnesota’s
Soil, Water, and Climate department reported
temperatures of 12 to 18 degrees higher than normal.
Daily high temperature records were observed at
Artichoke Lake, Lamberton, Milan, New Ulm, Redwood
Falls, Wheaton, and Windom. Field activities included
manure and fertilizer application, fall tillage and
harvesting corn for grain.
The unseasonably warm weather decreased both topsoil
and subsoil moisture supplies statewide, but dried some
previous muddy fields for harvest. Topsoil moisture
condition rated 2% very short, 12% short, 81% adequate
and 5% surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 5%
very short, 15% short, 75% adequate and 5% surplus.
Corn for grain harvest was 93% complete, 29 days
ahead of last year and 13 days ahead of the 5-year
average. Corn moisture content of grain at harvest rated
at 16%.