Another week of drier weather meant more time for farmers to finish up field work, and more sunshine for crops to make their own progress.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, last week the state averaged just .62 inches of rainfall, .13” below normal. This offered farmers an average of 6 days of days suitable for fieldwork. The second cutting of alfalfa is now beginning to wrap up, with 84% of acres harvested, and 23% of the third cutting is now finished up as well.
Both corn and soybeans are now just behind their 5 year averages for progress. 82% of soybean plants are now blooming, up ten points from last week, and 52% are setting pods, a major jump from just 31% a week earlier. 94% of corn acres have made it to the silking stage, and 46% have reached the dough stage, up 14% from the previous seven days. Crop quality is holding steady from the previous week with 56% of corn and 50% of soybeans rated as good to excellent.