Rain, saturated soil, standing water limit fieldwork

Minnesota farmers had just 3.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending July 8, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Upper Midwest Regional Field Office, Minnesota. Scattered rain along with saturated soils and standing water limited field activities for many. Field activities for the week included spraying and cutting hay.

Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 0 percent very short, 3 percent short, 67 percent adequate and 30 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 0 percent very short, 4 percent short, 68 percent adequate and 28 percent surplus.

Eight percent of the corn crop was in the silking stage, 3 days ahead of average. Corn crop condition decreased slightly with a rating of 79 percent good to excellent. Thirty-two percent of the soybean crop was blooming, 3 days ahead of last year and 2 days ahead of average. Soybean condition also decreased slightly from last week and rated 75 percent good to excellent.

Spring wheat headed reached 92 percent, 9 days ahead of average. Eleven percent of the spring wheat crop was coloring, 1 day behind last year and 2 days behind average. Spring wheat condition rated 85 percent good to excellent. Oats were 97 percent jointed, 3 days ahead of average with 85 percent headed, 3 days behind last year but 2 days ahead of average. Fifteen percent of the oat crop was in the coloring stage, 2 days behind average. Oats condition rated 79 percent good to excellent. Barley headed reached 87 percent, 5 days ahead of average. Eleven percent of the crop was coloring, 1 day behind last year and 4 days behind average. Barley condition rated 82 percent good to excellent.

Eighteen percent of the dry edible bean crop was blooming with 85 percent of the crop rated in good to excellent condition. Sunflower condition rated 69 percent good to excellent. Potato condition was rated 95percent good to excellent. Sugarbeet condition was rated 75 percent good to excellent.