Heavy rains limited fieldwork the week leading up to Memorial Day. The good news, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, was that the warm weather benefited crop development and hay growth.
Corn planting was 78 percent complete, two days behind last year but a day ahead of the 5-year average. Corn emergence was 48 percent complete.
Soybean planting was 74 percent complete, equal to last year but four days ahead of average. Soybean emergence was 44 percent complete.
The first cutting of alfalfa hay was 18 percent complete, two days behind last year but three days ahead of average. Winter wheat condition remained at 86 percent good to excellent. All hay condition improved to 80 percent good to excellent, up 5 percent. Pasture and range condition improved to 67 percent good to excellent, up 8 percent.
Oat planting progress was 89 percent complete, equal to last year but two days ahead of average. Oat emergence was 67 percent complete. Oat condition improved to 81 percent good to excellent statewide, up 10 percent from last week.
Winter wheat was 23 percent headed, five days ahead of last year and a week ahead of average.
Potato planting is 94 percent complete, six days ahead of last year and a week ahead of average. Potato condition remained at 87 percent good to excellent.
Spring tillage was 88 percent complete, a day behind last year but a day ahead of average.
Topsoil moisture condition rated 4 percent short, 61 percent adequate, and 35 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 5 percent short, 70 percent adequate, and 25 percent surplus.
