Corn harvest begins

For the week ending Sept. 16, there were 6.6 days suitable for fieldwork, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Northern Plains Regional Field Office, South Dakota. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 18 percent very short, 29 short, 52 adequate, and 1 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 19 percent very short, 28 short, 52 adequate, and 1 surplus.

Corn condition rated 7 percent very poor, 9 poor, 21 fair, 44 good, and 19 excellent. Corn dented was 95 percent, well ahead of 75 last year, and ahead of 83 for the five-year average. Mature was 44 percent, well ahead of 13 last year and 23 average. Harvested was 2 percent, near 1 average.

Soybean condition rated 8 percent very poor, 9 poor, 23 fair, 44 good, and 16 excellent. Soybeans dropping leaves was 68 percent, well ahead of 46 last year, and ahead of 51 average. Harvested was 6 percent, ahead of 1 average.

Sorghum condition rated 1 percent very poor, 5 poor, 26 fair, 67 good, and 1 excellent. Sorghum coloring was 77 percent, ahead of 71 last year, but behind 84 average. Mature was 16 percent, equal to last year, and near 19 average.

Winter wheat planted was 29 percent, near 26 last year, and ahead of 23 average. Emerged was 1 percent, equal to both last year and average.