In the crop report from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, dry and cool conditions ushered in a busy week for local farmers. Reports show 6.4 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending August 11th. Those activities included harvesting oats for grain, cutting and baling hay and preparing for the fall harvest.
Topsoil moisture condition was rated 5% surplus, 72% adequate, 20% short and 3% very short. Subsoil moisture condition was rated 4% surplus, 77% adequate, 16% short and 3% very short.
Corn silking has reached 96% across the state with 69% of the corn crop at dough stage or beyond. That’s one day behind last year but two days ahead of the five-year average. For corn, 17% of the crop has reached dent stage, four days behind last year, but still three days ahead of the five-year average. Corn condition was rated 77% good to excellent. Soybean bloom was at 94%, equal to the five-year average. Seventy-four percent of soybeans are setting pods, five days behind last year and two days behind average. Soybean condition is listed as 77% good to excellent. Oat harvest is at 93%, one day ahead of last year and four days ahead of average.
The state’s second cutting of alfalfa is 97% compete. The third cutting is 45%, one week behind last year but two days ahead of the five-year average. Hay condition was rated 75% good to excellent with pasture condition at 63% good to excellent.