Minnesota Ag Connection - Rain Limits Minnesota Fieldwork

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Rain Limits Minnesota Fieldwork
Minnesota Ag Connection - 08/23/2016

Wet field conditions and continued precipitation limited Minnesota farmers to 3.5 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Sunday, according to USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. The wet conditions made it a challenge to harvest small grains and hay in some areas. There continued to be reports of saturated fields and, in some areas, standing water. There were some reports of white mold on soybeans due to continual precipitation. There were also reports of sudden death syndrome in soybeans in the southeastern part of the State.

Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 0 percent very short, 2 percent short, 71 percent adequate, and 27 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 0 percent very short, 3 percent short, 76 percent adequate, and 21 percent surplus.

Thirty-one percent of the corn acreage was in or beyond the dent stage, 4 days ahead of the five-year average. Corn condition rated 86 percent good to excellent, up 1 percentage point from the previous week. Six percent of the soybean crop was turning color, 2 days behind last year. Soybean condition rated 80 percent good to excellent, up 1 percentage point from last week. Seventy-seven percent of the spring wheat acreage had been harvested, 9 days ahead of average, but 6 days behind last year. Eighty-five percent of the oat crop was harvested for grain, 3 days ahead of average, but 3 days behind last year. Eighty-five percent of the barley acreage had been harvested, 10 days ahead of average. Thirty-six percent of the dry edible bean crop was turning color, five days ahead of average. Dry edible bean condition rated 68 percent good to excellent, down 1 percentage point from the previous week. Sunflower condition rated 58 percent good to excellent. Sixteen percent of the potato acreage had been harvested, 5 days ahead of average. Potato condition rated 92 percent good to excellent. Sugarbeet harvest has begun, and condition was rated 86 percent good to excellent, up 3 percentage points from last week.

The second cutting of alfalfa hay was nearing completion. The third cutting of alfalfa hay was 70 percent complete, a week ahead of last year. Pasture condition rated 76 percent good to excellent.

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