Last week was warm — temperatures averaged nearly 6 degrees above average. This allowed growers to make good progress on harvesting corn silage and hay, as well as seeding fall crops and beginning fall tillage.
The latest USDA National Agricultural Statistics crop progress report says corn for silage harvest was at 20 percent, eight days behind last year and six days behind the five-year average. Corn condition was 77 percent good to excellent statewide, down 1 percentage point from last week. Corn in the dough stage or beyond was 96 percent, a day behind last year but a week ahead of the average. Seventy-eight percent of corn had reached the dent state, eight days behind last year but a day ahead of the average. And 23 percent of corn was mature, three days behind last year and a day behind the average.
Soybean condition also rated 77 percent good to excellent, even with last week. Soybeans coloring was 72 percent, five days behind last year but even with the average. Soybeans dropping leaves was 18 percent, eight days behind last year and five days behind the average.
The oat harvest is nearly wrapped up at 97 percent. That’s five days behind last year but four days ahead of the average.
The potato harvest is nearing the halfway point at 45 percent — three days behind last year and two days behind the average. Potato condition was 94 percent good to excellent, even with last week.
Twenty-one percent of winter wheat is in the ground. That’s five days behind last year and four days behind the average. Winter wheat emerged was at 5 percent, 10 days behind last year and five days behind the average.
The fourth cutting of alfalfa was reported at 83 percent complete, two days ahead of last year and 12 days ahead of the average.
Pasture condition was rated 68 percent good to excellent, down 1 percentage point from last week.
Topsoil moisture condition was 90 percent adequate to surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 83 percent adequate to surplus.
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