July 13, 2010

For the week ending July 11, 2010, rainfall delayed wheat harvest in western counties and limited the need for irrigation, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The rain and mild temperatures aided corn development as the crop entered the pollination stage. Soybean fields were sprayed for weeds and hay was harvested. Wind and hail this week again caused damage to scattered fields. Pastures are lush and green.

• Corn condition rated 1% very poor, 3% poor, 10% fair, 64% good, and 22% excellent. Irrigated fields were 86% good or excellent and dryland fields rated 87%, both near year ago levels. Corn silked was 26%, ahead of last year’s 22%, but behind the 28% average.
• Soybean condition rated 2% very poor, 3% poor, 15% fair, 63% good, and 17% excellent. Soybeans blooming was 38%, ahead of last year’s 28% but near the 40% average.
• The first fields of sorghum started to head.
• Wheat turning color was nearly completed. Wheat ripe at 41% was behind 57% last year and ten days behind the 76% average. Wheat harvested was 22%, two days behind last year’s 26%, and eight days behind the 47% average.
• Proso millet planted was 97% planted, ahead of last year’s 94% and equal to average.
• Oat condition rated 1% poor, 8% fair, 65% good, and 26% excellent. Oat harvest was 7% complete, equal to last year but behind the 21% average.
• Dry bean condition rated 1% poor, 18% fair, 71% good, and 10% excellent. Dry bean emergence was nearly complete and the first fields started to bloom.
• Alfalfa rated 1% very poor, 2% poor, 10% fair, 69% good, and 18% excellent. Second cutting of alfalfa was 66% complete, ahead of last year’s 50% and 57% average.
• Wild hay conditions rated 1% very poor, 1% poor, 6% fair, 72% good, and 20% excellent. Wild hay harvest was 44% complete.