Producers averaged 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork in Minnesota for the week ending June 18th, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Some crops were showing stress from continued dry conditions as topsoil moisture supplies were rated 52% short to very short.
Corn emergence was virtually complete at 99%. Corn condition was 67% good to excellent.
Soybeans were 98% emerged, 2 weeks ahead of last year and 11 days ahead of the 5 year average. Soybeans have started to bloom at 1%. Soybean condition was 67% good to excellent.
In Iowa, below average precipitation for the week gave Iowa farmers 6.3 days suitable for fieldwork last week.
Drought concerns were prominent as the percentage of topsoil moisture considered short to very short has gone from 25% the week ending May 21st, to 70% for the week ending June 18th, just 1 month later.
Corn condition continued to decline, rating 59% good to excellent. Ninety-eight percent of soybeans have emerged, 10 days ahead of last year and 2 weeks ahead of the 5 year average.
Soybean condition dropped to 56% good to excellent.