Rainfall limits fieldwork

Scattered rainfall throughout the state may have limited field activities, but crop development continues ahead of the five-year averages during the week ending Sept. 9, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Upper Midwest Regional Field Office, Minnesota. There were 5.0 days suitable for fieldwork. Field activities for the week included preparing for sugarbeet harvest as well as harvesting small grains, corn silage, dry edible beans and potatoes.

Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 4 percent very short, 14 percent short, 73 percent adequate and 9 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 6 percent very short, 14 percent short, 69 percent adequate and 11 percent surplus.

Eighty-three percent of the corn has reached the dent stage or beyond, 5 days ahead of the five-year average. Corn mature was at 17 percent, 6 days ahead of average. Corn for silage harvest was 39 percent complete, 1 week ahead of average. Corn crop condition was rated 76 percent good to excellent. Sixty percent of the soybean crop was turning color or beyond, 3 days ahead of average. Twenty-four percent of the soybean crop was dropping leaves, 4 days ahead of average. Soybean condition improved slightly to 71 percent good to excellent.

Ninety-seven percent of the oats for grain have been harvested, equal to the average.

Eighty-five percent of the dry edible bean crop was dropping leaves or beyond, 11 days ahead of average. Twenty-seven percent of dry edible beans have been harvested, 4 days ahead of average. Dry edible bean condition rated 65 percent good to excellent. Sunflower condition increased to 68 percent good to excellent. Potato harvest was 22 percent complete, 10 days behind average. Potato condition was rated 93 percent good to excellent. Sugarbeet condition was rated 75 percent good to excellent.