Crops continue to show signs of stress

Mild weather during the week ending July 22, allowed for 4.6 days suitable for fieldwork, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Upper Midwest Regional Field Office, Minnesota. Portions of the state began to recover from flooded fields; however, additional rainfall in some areas led to crops showing continued signs of stress. Field activities for the week included spraying, second cutting of hay and preparing equipment for small grain harvest.

Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 1 percent very short, 6 percent short, 68 percent adequate and 25 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 0 percent very short, 5 percent short, 66 percent adequate and 29 percent surplus.

Seventy-seven percent of the corn crop was in or beyond the silking stage, one week ahead of the five-year average. Corn crop condition increased slightly with a rating of 78 percent good to excellent. Soybeans blooming reached 74 percent, 3 days ahead of average. Thirty-five percent of soybeans were setting pods, 6 days ahead of average. Soybean condition rated 76 percent good to excellent.

Seventy-four percent of spring wheat was coloring, 6 days ahead of last year. Spring wheat condition rated 85 percent good to excellent. Oats were 98 percent headed, 5 days ahead of average. Seventy-three percent of the oat crop was in or beyond the coloring stage, 4 days ahead of average. Oats condition rated 77 percent good to excellent. Barley headed or beyond reached 97 percent, 3 days ahead of average. Seventy-nine percent of the barley crop was coloring or beyond, 5 days ahead of last year. Barley condition rated 85 percent good to excellent.

Sixty-nine percent of the dry edible bean crop was blooming with 25 percent setting pods. Dry edible bean condition rated 82 percent good to excellent. Sunflower condition rated 74 percent good to excellent. Potato condition was rated 94 percent good to excellent. Sugarbeet condition was rated 76 percent good to excellent.