Minnesota

Widespread rain during the week ending Aug. 21 brought the Wheat and canola harvest to a standstill after midweek in northwestern Minnesota, according to the Minnesota Agricultural Statistics Service, Aug. 22.

Heavy precipitation in the northwestern part of the state, totaling more than 4 inches in some areas, left standing water in many fields. Late-season crop development continued ahead of average, as the sweet-corn harvest neared the halfway point, slightly ahead of average.

The average temperature for the week was 66.3 degrees, 1.4 degrees below normal. Statewide topsoil moisture supplies as of Aug. 19 were rated 7 percent very short, 17 percent short, 65 percent adequate, and 11 percent surplus.

An estimated 54 percent of spring Wheat acreage was harvested as of Aug. 21, compared with 27 percent for the same date in 2004 and 58 percent for the five-year average. Oats were 90 percent harvested, compared with 61 percent last year and 82 percent for the five-year average. Barley was 96 percent harvested, compared with 29 percent last year and 69 percent for the five-year average.

Sixty-nine percent of the corn was in the dough stage versus 23 percent last year and 49 percent for the five-year average. Twenty-one percent of the corn was at dent stage versus 4 percent last year and 14 percent for the five-year average. Three percent of the soybeans were turning yellow compared with 0 percent last year and 3 percent for the five-year average.

Date: 8/24/05