MN Crop
Rainfall slowed harvest progress in northern Minnesota
during the week ending September 6, 2020, according to
USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. There
were 5.5 days suitable for fieldwork. Other field
activities included cutting hay, harvesting potatoes,
sugarbeets, dry beans, and corn for silage.
Topsoil moisture condition rated to 3% very short,
10% short, 77% adequate and 10% surplus. Subsoil
moisture condition rated 3% very short, 11% short, 77%
adequate and 9% surplus.
Corn had reached the dent stage or beyond on 86% of
the acres, 22 days ahead of last year and 11 days ahead
of the 5-year average. Corn was 23% mature, 24 days
ahead of last year and 10 days ahead of average. Corn
harvested for silage reached 44% complete, 24 days
ahead of last year and 10 days ahead of normal. Corn
condition dropped to 78% good to excellent, its lowest
rating so far this year compared to last week’s 79%.
Soybeans were 64% turning color, 2 weeks ahead of last
year and 6 days above average. Soybean acres were 15%
dropping leaves, 10 days ahead of last year and 3 days
above average. Soybean condition dropped to its lowest
rating of the year to 79% good to excellent compared to
last week’s 80%.
Spring wheat acres were 94% harvested, 16 days ahead
of last year and 2 days ahead of average. The oat harvest
was 8 days ahead of last year and 2 days above average
at 97% complete.
Sunflower condition increased to its best rating of the
year at 76% good to excellent compared to last week’s
previous high of 75%. The potato harvest advanced 4
percentage points to 30% complete, 12 days ahead of last
year and 3 days ahead of normal. Potato condition
remained at 92% good to excellent. Eight percent of the
sugarbeet acres have been harvested with condition
remaining at 93% good to excellent. Dry beans
dropping leaves was at 62%, the same as last year but 2
days behind average. The dry bean harvest has begun 2
days behind the average pace at 10% complete. Dry bean
condition declined slightly to 82% good to excellent.
Barley harvest reached 96%, up slightly from last week.
Pasture condition increased slightly to 58% good to
excellent.