Corn progressing well ahead of average

For the week ending Aug. 12, there were 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Northern Plains Regional Field Office, South Dakota. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 7 percent very short, 31 short, 60 adequate, and 2 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 9 percent very short, 30 short, 60 adequate, and 1 surplus.

Corn condition rated 2 percent very poor, 5 poor, 24 fair, 51 good, and 18 excellent. Corn dough was 72 percent, well ahead of 43 last year and 47 for the five-year average. Dented was 11 percent, ahead of 4 last year and 3 average.

Soybean condition rated 3 percent very poor, 6 poor, 25 fair, 52 good, and 14 excellent. Soybeans blooming was 97 percent, near 95 last year and 94 average. Setting pods was 81 percent, near 79 last year, and ahead of 73 average.

Winter wheat harvested was 97 percent, near 95 last year, and ahead of 87 average. Spring wheat harvested was 80 percent, near 77 last year, and well ahead of 52 average. Oats harvested was 89 percent, ahead of 78 last year and 77 average.

Sorghum condition rated 0 percent very poor, 3 poor, 21 fair, 74 good, and 2 excellent. Sorghum headed was 74 percent, ahead of 69 last year, but behind 81 average. Coloring was 12 percent, near 13 both last year and average.