Saturated soils, standing water limit fieldwork

Precipitation was variable during the week ending July 1, with 3.8 days suitable for fieldwork, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Upper Midwest Regional Field Office, Minnesota. Saturated soils and standing water have limited field activities in some areas. Field activities for the week included applying herbicides and fungicides and cutting hay.

Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 0 percent very short, 3 percent short, 63 percent adequate and 34 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 0 percent very short, 3 percent short, 66 percent adequate and 31 percent surplus.

Corn condition decreased slightly with a rating of 83 percent good to excellent. Thirteen percent of the soybean crop was in the blooming stage, 3 days ahead of last year and 2 days ahead of average. Soybean condition also decreased slightly from last week and rated 77 percent good to excellent.

Ninety-eight percent of the spring wheat crop was jointed or beyond. Spring wheat headed reached 73 percent, 2 days ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of average. Six percent of the crop was coloring. Spring wheat condition remained the same as last week with 86 percent rated good to excellent. Oats were 95 percent at or beyond the jointing stage, 6 days ahead of average. Oats were 66 percent headed or beyond. Oats condition declined slightly from last week, with 80 percent of the crop rated good to excellent. Ninety-seven percent of the barley crop was jointed or beyond, 2 days ahead of last year and 11 days ahead of average. Barley headed reached 70 percent, 2 days ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of average. Five percent of the crop was coloring. Barley condition rated 85 percent good to excellent.

Five percent of the dry edible bean crop was blooming, with 86 percent of the crop rated in good to excellent condition, unchanged from last week. Sunflower condition decreased slightly from last week and was rated 70 percent good to excellent. Potato condition was rated 94 percent good to excellent. Sugarbeet condition was rated 85 percent good to excellent.