Minnesota Ag Connection - NASS Reviews 2018 Minnesota Crop Year

Minnesota Ag News Headlines

NASS Reviews 2018 Minnesota Crop Year
Minnesota Ag Connection - 12/11/2018

Crop planting in 2018 started out well behind the normal pace for all crops due to lingering cool weather, snow cover and additional precipitation. These persistent cool temperatures and wet conditions hindered field activity until mid-May when small grains planting progress caught up to the five-year average. However, row crop planting remained behind normal until late May. The week ending May 20 had 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork, allowing planting to advance rapidly. Rainfall amounts were sufficient throughout April and May. The week ending June 24 saw the best pasture and range condition of the season with 81 percent rated in good to excellent condition. Soil moisture shortages began to be reported in late July. The lowest moisture supplies were reported for the week ending August 19, 2018 when 33 percent of the state was reported short to very short on topsoil moisture. Small grain harvest was underway by late July. Dry conditions allowed for rapid harvest in late August. Soybean harvest began in early September, with corn for grain harvest not far behind, starting in mid-September. Wet conditions throughout September and early October limited farmers' ability to complete fieldwork, with only 1.1 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending October 14. Conditions improved in late October, averaging just over 4 days suitable for fieldwork per week through Thanksgiving. During this time, farmers made progress on harvest and fall fieldwork as conditions allowed. Most farmers were able to complete harvest and field activities by the final week of November.

Corn planting started in early May, two weeks behind the previous year and almost three weeks behind the five-year average. The two week period from May 6 through May 20 allowed for significant advancements, bringing planting to 77 percent complete, which still lagged 3 days behind average. Planting was virtually complete by the beginning of June. Crop emergence also lagged behind, but moved ahead of average during early June. The corn crop began silking during the week ending July 1, ahead of both last year and the average. The crop started to mature in late August, ahead of the average pace. Corn harvested for silage got off to an early start with 20 percent harvested by September 2 and neared completion by October 7. Corn harvest also started ahead of the average pace and was 58 percent complete by October 28. While harvest started fairly early, progress fell to average levels with delays attributed to wet weather. By November 25, 96 percent of the corn acreage was harvested, 5 days behind average. Condition fell somewhat from July through October and ended with 76 percent in good to excellent condition as of October 29.

Soybean planting began in early May, starting slightly behind the previous year and over a week behind average. During the week ending May 20, 37 percent of the crop was planted, and by late May progress advanced ahead of the average pace. Planting was completed in mid-June. Soybean emergence was behind average until the week ending June 3, when emergence reached 65 percent, 3 days ahead of average. Emergence was 97 percent complete on June 24. Plants began blooming ahead of average in late June and remained ahead of average throughout the stage. Nearly all plants were setting pods by the end of August, slightly ahead of average. Leaves started to drop before the end of August. Soybean harvest started ahead of average but fell behind with 62 percent of the soybean crop harvested by October 21, 10 days behind average and 3 days behind last year. Twenty-five percent of the acreage was harvested during the week ending October 28 to advance harvest to 87 percent complete. As of November 25, 99 percent of the soybean acreage was harvested. Condition ratings declined through July and much of August, but rebounded late in the season and ended with 72 percent in good to excellent condition as of October 21.

Spring Wheat seeding began in late April, well behind last year and the average. Planting progress finally advanced ahead of the average pace during the week ending May 20. Twenty-six percent of Minnesota's spring wheat acreage was seeded during that week, advancing to 85 percent complete. Planting was complete by early June. Emergence also started slowly, but caught up to average during early June. Over one-third of the crop headed during the week ending July 1, advancing to 73 percent headed, 5 days ahead of average. All of the acreage was heading or beyond by mid-July. Spring wheat acreage started turning color near the end of June. Almost all of the acreage had turned color by August 5. Spring wheat condition remained high throughout most of the crop season but fell during August. The final condition of the season, as of August 19, rated 75 percent good to excellent. Harvest began near the end of July. Thirty-four percent of the spring wheat acreage was harvested during the week ending August 12 and harvest was near completion by September 2.

Oat seeding began in late April at a pace well behind average and remained behind average until planting was almost complete during the week ending June 3. Emergence followed a similar course, remaining behind average until the crop was nearly fully emerged by June 10. The oat crop started to head at the beginning of June and advanced to ahead of average during the week ending July 1. Oats began turning color as June came to a close. Ninety-six percent of the acreage had turned color by August 5. Harvest began near mid-July. Oat condition began the season with a rating of 79 percent good to excellent on May 27 and increased to a high of 82 percent good to excellent in late June. Conditions fell during July and closed with 74 percent good to excellent for the week ending August 5. By September 9, harvest was 97 percent complete, slightly ahead of last year but equal to the average.

The first cutting of alfalfa hay started in late May and progressed rapidly, with 50 percent complete by June 10, 3 days ahead of the five-year average. Harvest progress continued ahead of average, with 96 percent of the first cutting complete by July 8. The second cutting of alfalfa hay started in mid-June. Second cutting progress was behind last year from June 24 through the end of July. By August 5, the second cutting was 96 percent complete, ahead of both last year and average. As of July 29, the final all hay condition rated 78 percent good to excellent.

Barley seeding got off to a late start as April came to a close but advanced ahead of the five-year average by the third week of May. Seeding was 97 percent complete by the week ending June 3. Emergence followed the same pattern as planting, starting off behind average but soon caught up to the average pace and 95 percent of the crop was emerged by June 24. The percent of the barley headed also started slow but by July 1 the crop was 70 percent headed or beyond, 5 days ahead of average. Harvest began during late July with 5 percent complete by July 29. Harvest surpassed the average pace during the week ending August 5. By September 2, harvest was 99 percent complete, well ahead of average and 5 days ahead of last year. Barley condition began the season on May 27 with 86 percent good to excellent. Conditions held fairly steady through June and July but fell during August with the final rating of 77 percent good to excellent on August 19.

Dry Edible Bean planting progress was ahead of average as of the week ending May 27 with 57 percent of the total crop planted. Planting was nearly complete by mid-June. Almost all the dry edible bean crop was blooming by mid-August and pod set began by mid-July. By August 26, 36 percent of the crop was dropping leaves. Harvest began in late August and progressed ahead of average through completion. By October 7, harvest was 97 percent complete, 12 days ahead of average and 9 days ahead of last year. Crop condition was mostly good to excellent throughout the growing season with a peak condition of 86 percent good to excellent on July 1. Conditions declined through August and early September and ended the season on September 16 at 65 percent good to excellent.

Sugarbeet planting got off to a delayed start in late April. However, 40 percent of the crop was planted during the week ending May 6 to reach 50 percent complete. Even at this pace, planting progress was far behind 2017, and slightly behind the average. Planting was completed by late May. The first condition rating of the year was 90 percent good to excellent on June 17. Sugarbeet condition fell to 75 percent good to excellent by the week ending August 19. Harvest didn't start until mid-September. Harvest accelerated during the week ending October 21 when 30 percent of the crop was lifted. Progress continued the following week ending October 28 with another 19 percent of the acres harvested, but progress remained behind average. The final condition rating of the year on October 21 showed 72 percent of the crop in good to excellent condition, with over half in excellent condition. Harvest was virtually complete by November 4.

Sunflower planting began in late April reaching 78 percent planted during the week ending May 27. During the following week another 12 percent was planted advancing to 90 percent complete, 10 days ahead of average. Planting was nearly complete by June 24. As of June 17, 62 percent of the sunflower crop was in good to excellent condition. Conditions improved to a season high of 76 percent good to excellent in late July. Harvest began in late September. Harvest progress started off slightly ahead of the average pace until the week ending October 7, when harvest fell behind the average. As of November 18, 90 percent of the sunflower acreage was harvested with harvest nearly complete by November 25. The last condition rating, as of October 28, estimated 67 percent of the crop in good to excellent condition.

The Crop Progress and Condition Report is made possible by the dedication of the many farmers, FSA, NRCS, Extension, and agribusiness personnel who provide information each week.

Other Minnesota Headlines