Ag/Business

 

 

   Small grains started ripening this past week, well behind last year and the 5-year average pace, according to USDA, NASS, Minnesota Field Office. Warm weather across the state continued to aid small grain development with nearly three quarters of the crop reaching the heading stage. Adequate topsoil moisture supplies across the northwest district have helped improve the crop condition rating in dry beans, sunflowers, and canola.

 

    The average temperature for the week was 68.9 degrees, 0.8 degrees below normal. Statewide topsoil moisture supplies as of Friday were 6 percent very short, 24 short, 66 adequate, and 4 surplus. Statewide, on average, there were 5.8 days suitable for fieldwork during the week.

 

    As of Sunday, the average corn height was estimated at 46 inches compared to 72 inches last year and 59 inches for the 5-year average. The average height of soybeans was 13 inches compared to 19 inches last year and 16 inches for the 5-year average. Twenty-eight percent of soybeans were blooming compared to 59 percent last year and 45 percent average.

 

    Spring wheat was 4 percent ripening compared to 35 last year and 22 average. Oats were 13 percent ripening compared to 67 last year and 41 average. Barley was 5 percent ripening compared to 49 last year and 28 average.

 

    As of Friday, 71 percent of corn and 69 percent of soybeans were rated in good or excellent condition.

 

    Seventy-three percent of spring wheat, 77 percent of oats, and 73 percent of barley were rated in good or excellent condition.

 

  Sixty-one percent of dry beans, 74 percent of sunflowers, 77 percent of canola, and 61 percent of pasture were rated in good or excellent condition.

Behind Schedule, Yet Small Grains

Ripening Across Minnesota