Warm weather and somewhat dry conditions allowed for 3.9 days suitable for field work during the week ending Sept. 29, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Corn dented or beyond was 88 percent, 16 days behind last year and two weeks behind the five-year average. Twenty-two percent of corn was mature, 18 days behind last year and two weeks behind normal. Corn harvested for silage reached 43 percent this week, 13 days behind average. Corn condition was rated 53 percent good to excellent, falling slightly from the previous week.
Ninety percent of soybeans were turning color or beyond, 13 days behind last year and eight days behind the average. Sixty percent of soybeans have begun dropping leaves, 12 days behind last year and eight days behind normal. Five percent of the soybean crop has been harvested, 15 days behind last year and 11 days behind average. Soybean condition was rated 56 percent good to excellent. Spring wheat harvested reached 97 percent, nearly a month behind last year and 11 days behind average.
Sugarbeet harvest was 16 percent complete, one day behind last year and the five-year average. Sugarbeet condition was rated 81 percent good to excellent.