Corn, soybean and sunflower harvests continue (Minnesota)

Winter cold and scattered precipitation led to only 3.5 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Nov. 11, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Upper Midwest Regional Field Office, Minnesota. When conditions allowed, field activities for the week included the ongoing harvest of corn, soybeans and sunflowers. Fall tillage activities were winding down as frozen ground reported in many areas halted tillage activity.

Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 0 percent very short, 1 percent short, 70 percent adequate and 29 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 1 percent very short, 4 percent short, 69 percent adequate and 26 percent surplus.

Corn harvested for grain was 87 percent complete, 6 days ahead of last year. Corn moisture content of grain at harvest averaged 18 percent, unchanged from last week. Ninety-seven percent of the soybean crop was harvested, 9 days behind last year and 10 days behind average.

Sunflower harvest was 83 percent complete, 6 days behind average.