Small grain harvest continues

Minnesota farmers nearly completed small grain harvest and made a good start on harvesting dry edible beans and corn for silage during the week ending Sept. 2, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Upper Midwest Regional Field Office, Minnesota. Scattered precipitation and wet fields allowed for 4.8 days suitable for fieldwork. Field activities for the week included preparing for sugarbeet harvest as well as harvesting small grains, corn silage, dry edible beans and potatoes.

Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 5 percent very short, 15 percent short, 70 percent adequate and 10 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 6 percent very short, 16 percent short, 67 percent adequate and 11 percent surplus.

Sixty-seven percent of the corn has reached the dent stage or beyond, 5 days ahead of the five-year average. Corn mature was at 6 percent, 1 week ahead of average. Corn for silage harvest was 20 percent complete, 12 days ahead of last year. Corn crop condition was rated 75 percent good to excellent. Thirty-six percent of the soybean crop was turning color or beyond, 4 days ahead of average. Nine percent of the soybean crop was dropping leaves, 5 days ahead of average. Soybean condition declined slightly to 69 percent good to excellent.

Ninety-eight percent of spring wheat has been harvested, 10 days ahead of last year. Ninety-five percent of the oats for grain have been harvested, one week ahead of last year. Barley harvest was virtually complete.