Corn maturing ahead of last year’s crop (South Dakota)

For the week ending Sept. 23, there were 3.3 days suitable for fieldwork, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Northern Plains Regional Field Office, South Dakota. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 9 percent very short, 21 short, 61 adequate, and 9 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 14 percent very short, 28 short, 52 adequate, and 6 surplus.

Corn condition rated 7 percent very poor, 11 poor, 19 fair, 42 good, and 21 excellent. Corn mature was 67 percent, well ahead of 29 last year and 43 for the five-year average. Harvested was 5 percent, near 1 last year and 3 average.

Soybean condition rated 7 percent very poor, 8 poor, 24 fair, 43 good, and 18 excellent. Soybeans dropping leaves was 83 percent, ahead of 71 last year and 74 average. Harvested was 12 percent, ahead of 3 last year and 6 average.

Sorghum condition rated 1 percent very poor, 4 poor, 28 fair, 66 good, and 1 excellent. Sorghum coloring was 85 percent, ahead of 79 last year, but behind 90 average. Mature was 24 percent, behind 29 last year and 35 average. Harvested was 1 percent, near 4 average.

Sunflowers harvested was 1 percent.

Winter wheat planted was 53 percent, ahead of 47 both last year and average. Emerged was 8 percent, near 5 last year and 6 average.