mn-crop-weather State Minnesota Weekly Crop-Weather Week Ending Date Week Ending July 3, 2011 Issue MN-CW-26-11 Agricultural Summary Several consecutive days of hot, dry weather was beneficial for crop development and fieldwork, according to the USDA, NASS, Minnesota Field Office. As of July 3, 5.1 days were rated suitable for fieldwork, the second highest rating of the season. Reports indicated that crops responded well to sunshine and warm temperatures across most of the state. However, reports from northern areas stated that crops were showing signs of stress from surplus moisture. Haying and spraying resumed in areas after being postponed by wet conditions. Topsoil moisture was rated 2 percent short, 70 percent adequate, and 28 percent surplus, a significant improvement from the previous week. Temperatures on Thursday and Friday were in the 90's with dew points in the 70's. This combination created humid conditions that developed into severe thunderstorms Friday evening. A line of storms passed through central and southern areas of the state and included strong winds and reports of localized hail. Sunshine returned over the weekend. Corn height averaged 25 inches, compared to 43 inches for the five-year average. Corn condition held steady from the previous week with 23 percent rated fair and 58 percent rated good. Soybean height averaged 7 inches, compared to 11 inches average. Soybean blooming was underway at 2 percent, 12 percentage points behind average. Soybean condition was rated 28 percent fair and 54 percent good, nearly equal to last week. Small grain condition was largely unchanged, with most of the crops rated in fair to good condition. Sweet corn planting was virtually complete at 96 percent, 3 percentage points behind average. The first cutting of alfalfa advanced 8 points from the previous week to 88 percent complete. Pasture condition was rated 1 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 12 percent fair, 59 percent good, and 26 percent excellent. Days Suitable for Fieldwork Table Days Suitable for Fieldwork: 5.1 Soil Moisture Table Very Short Short Adequate Surplus Topsoil Moisture (%) 0 2 70 28 Crop Progress Table Crop Progress as of July 3, 2011 Stage of This Last Last 5 Yr Crop Development Week Week Year Avg Percent Corn Height (Inches) 25 16 45 43 Soybeans Height (Inches) 7 5 12 11 Blooming 2 NA 17 14 Oats Jointing 88 76 100 96 Headed 54 25 91 79 Spring Wheat Jointing 83 62 96 92 Headed 35 10 88 67 Barley Jointing 79 45 97 91 Headed 27 10 88 67 Dry Beans Emerged 99 94 NA NA Blooming 1 0 NA NA Sweet Corn Planted 96 82 98 99 Alfalfa 1st Cutting 88 80 90 94 Crop Condition Table Condition as of July 3, 2011 in % Very Poor Poor Fair Good Exc Pasture 1 2 12 59 26 Soybeans 1 5 28 54 12 Corn 1 5 23 58 13 Oats 0 4 19 61 16 Barley 0 2 23 59 16 Spring Wheat 1 5 23 55 16 Sugarbeets 1 5 34 50 10 Potatoes 0 2 13 55 30 Canola 0 6 30 63 1 Alfalfa 1 3 15 63 18 Green Peas 3 13 36 37 11 Dry Beans 0 7 34 45 14 Due to the Minnesota state budget impasse, we are unable to publish weather and precipitation information from the Minnesota State Climatology Office. Most functions and access to data from the Climate Working Group web site (climate.umn.edu) are suspended until the state budget is resolved. Contact Information USDA, NASS MINNESOTA FIELD OFFICE IN COOPERATION WITH THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE- CHANHASSEN MN, UNIV. OF MINN. EXTENSION SERVICE, DNR STATE CLIMATOLOGY OFFICE, USDA-FSA, AND USDA-NRCS USDA-NASS MINNESOTA FIELD OFFICE Minnesota Department of Agriculture PO Box 7068, St. Paul, MN 55107 Phone: (651) 201-6030 E-mail: nass-mn@nass.usda.gov Homepage: http://www.nass.usda.gov/mn/