Corn development ahead of last year

For the week ending Aug. 12, there were 5.8 days suitable for fieldwork, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Northern Plains Regional Field Office ,Kansas. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 11 percent very short, 29 short, 58 adequate, and 2 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 12 percent very short, 30 short, 57 adequate, and 1 surplus.

Corn condition rated 7 percent very poor, 15 poor, 31 fair, 41 good, and 6 excellent. Corn dough was 77 percent, ahead of 67 both last year and for the five-year average. Dented was 42 percent, well ahead of 22 last year and 19 average. Mature was 6 percent.

Soybean condition rated 7 percent very poor, 15 poor, 38 fair, 37 good, and 3 excellent. Soybeans blooming was 94 percent, ahead of 89 last year and 85 average. Setting pods was 74 percent, ahead of 64 last year, and well ahead of 54 average.

Sorghum condition rated 1 percent very poor, 5 poor, 32 fair, 53 good, and 9 excellent. Sorghum headed was 72 percent, ahead of 62 both last year and average. Coloring was 15 percent, ahead of 3 last year and 7 average.

Cotton condition rated 1 percent very poor, 1 poor, 31 fair, 55 good, and 12 excellent. Cotton setting bolls was 54 percent, ahead of 36 last year and 37 average. Bolls opening was 1 percent, near 2 last year, and equal to average.