Fall harvest is well underway. The latest crop progress report from the USDA says that corn in the dough stage or beyond was 98 percent. Eighty-seven percent of the corn crop was dented. Forty-six percent of the corn crop was mature, 2 days ahead of last year and 1 day ahead of the five-year average. Corn condition was 49 percent good to excellent, down 2 percentage points from last week. Corn for silage harvest was 53 percent complete, 6 days ahead of last year.
Soybeans coloring was at 85 percent. Fifty-two percent of soybeans are dropping leaves, 1 day ahead of last year but 1 day behind the average. Soybean condition was 49 percent good to excellent, up 2 percentage points from last week.
Thirty-nine percent of the winter wheat crop has been planted and 16 percent of the crop has emerged.
Sixty-five percent of the potato crop has been harvested, 8 days ahead of last year and 6 days ahead of the average.
The fourth cutting of alfalfa was 88 percent complete, equal to last year and 15 days ahead of the average.
Topsoil moisture condition rated 22 percent very short, 38 percent short, 40 percent adequate and 0 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 27 percent very short, 40 percent short, 33 percent adequate and 0 percent surplus.
Pasture condition was rated 22 good to excellent statewide, equal to last week.
