Recent rains improve crop conditions

Last week's rains came in timely fashion for Minnesota's crops.

Monday's Minnesota Crop Report cites improving crop conditions.  Statewide rainfall averaged about half an inch. Central Minnesota picked up the most rain for the second consecutive week, with some totals over 1 inch.

Here's the narrative from this week's Minnesota Crop Report.

The condition of Minnesota’s crops improved during the week ending September 22, 2013 according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Statewide, an average of 0.43 inch  of rain fell; improving topsoil and subsoil moisture to 51 and  43 percent adequate, respectively. Central Minnesota received 0.96 inch of rainfall making it the wettest region for the second consecutive week. Temperatures averaged 57.2 degrees, 0.3 degrees cooler than normal. Statewide, 5.2 days were rated suitable for fieldwork.

Ninety-one percent of the corn crop was at or beyond the dent stage, remaining behind the normal 94 percent. Seventeen percent of Minnesota’s corn was mature, 12 days behind normal. Seventysix percent of corn silage has been cut, two percentage points ahead of normal, yet behind last year’s 99 percent. Corn conditions were rated 4 percent very poor, 9 percent poor, 37 percent fair, 45 percent good and 5 percent excellent. Seventy-nine percent of the soybean crop was turning yellow, 20 percentage points behind last year. Forty-six percent of soybeans were dropping leaves, 6 days behind normal. Soybean conditions improved slightly to 50 percent good or excellent.

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Image: USDA

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