mn-crop-weather State Minnesota Weekly Crop-Weather Week Ending Date Week Ending July 10, 2011 Issue MN-CW-27-11 Agricultural Summary Another week of warm temperatures and adequate soil moisture has been beneficial for crops, according to the USDA, NASS, Minnesota Field Office. For the week ending July 10, most fieldwork resumed after several weeks of wet conditions delayed field activities. Reports from northern areas indicate excess soil moisture was still prevalent. Statewide, 5.3 days were rated suitable for fieldwork, the second highest rating of the season. Crop condition ratings generally held steady from the previous week, though reporters noted that conditions varied considerably from field to field and also within the field. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated mostly adequate, with 21 percent rated surplus, compared to 28 percent surplus during the previous week. Sunny skies with occasional patchy clouds prevailed during the week. Active weather over the weekend brought humidity and periodic heavy rain across the state. Sunday evening, heavy rain and damaging winds blew across parts of western and central Minnesota. Hail was reported in localized areas. Corn height averaged 39 inches, compared to 59 inches last year and 56 inches for the five-year average. Corn condition was largely unchanged from the previous week with 22 percent rated fair, 58 percent rated good, and 14 percent rated excellent. Soybean height averaged 10 inches, compared to 16 inches last year and 15 inches average. Soybeans were 16 percent blooming, compared to 33 percent last year and 31 percent average. Soybean condition was rated 27 percent fair, 55 percent good, and 12 percent excellent, nearly equal to the previous week. Small grain development advanced rapidly from last week. Spring wheat and barley both advanced 34 percentage points to 69 and 61 percent headed, while oats advanced 15 points to 69 percent headed. Two percent of spring wheat and 5 percent of oats were turning ripe, both at least 15 points behind average. The first cutting of alfalfa was virtually complete at 96 percent. Pasture condition was rated 2 percent poor, 11 percent fair, 64 percent good, and 23 percent excellent. Days Suitable for Fieldwork Table Days Suitable for Fieldwork: 5.3 Soil Moisture Table Very Short Short Adequate Surplus Topsoil Moisture (%) 0 3 76 21 Crop Progress Table Crop Progress as of July 10, 2011 Stage of This Last Last 5 Yr Crop Development Week Week Year Avg Percent Corn Height (Inches) 39 25 59 56 Soybeans Height (Inches) 10 7 16 15 Blooming 16 2 33 31 Oats Jointing 94 88 100 99 Headed 69 54 97 90 Turning Ripe 5 0 40 32 Spring Wheat Jointing 98 83 100 97 Headed 69 35 95 82 Turning Ripe 2 NA 27 17 Barley Jointing 95 79 100 96 Headed 61 27 96 81 Dry Beans Blooming 5 1 NA NA Alfalfa 1st Cutting 96 88 95 98 Crop Condition Table Condition as of July 10, 2011 in % Very Poor Poor Fair Good Exc Pasture 0 2 11 64 23 Soybeans 1 5 27 55 12 Corn 1 5 22 58 14 Oats 0 4 19 62 15 Barley 1 3 18 60 18 Spring Wheat 2 4 23 54 17 Sugarbeets 0 8 30 50 12 Potatoes 0 2 12 52 34 Canola 0 6 39 53 2 Alfalfa 0 3 15 64 18 Green Peas 3 10 34 43 10 Dry Beans 1 6 28 50 15 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. Weather Information Table 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/