August 9, 2010

For the week ending August 8, the last fields of wheat were being harvested in the northern Panhandle as heat and high humidity covered the state, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Temperatures averaged 2 degrees above normal with highs that reach 100 and lows in the mid 50s.

The warm weather provided row crops with plenty of heat units to advance maturity. Soybeans were active setting pods and most corn was in the dough stage. Scattered storms damaged crops and property around the state. Hay harvest was active with the dry conditions. Livestock in confined areas were stressed due to the heat and high humidity.

Crop Reports

• Corn condition rated 1% very poor, 5% poor, 12% fair, 60% good, and 22% excellent, all above year ago. Irrigated fields were 82% good or excellent and dryland fields rated 83%. Corn silked was 98%, ahead of last year’s 96% but equal to average. Corn in the dough stage was 54%, ahead of 32% last year and 48% average. Corn in the dent stage was 7%, ahead of 2% last year but near the average of 8%.
• Soybean conditions rated 2% very poor, 4% poor, 17% fair, 57% good, and 20% excellent, near last year. Soybean acreage blooming was 97%, ahead of last year’s 95% and average. Soybean acreage setting pods was 71%, ahead of 67% last year but equal to average.
• Sorghum conditions rated 2% poor, 22% fair, 64% good, and 12% excellent, near last year. Sorghum headed was 78%, well ahead of last year’s 44% and the 59% average. The first fields of sorghum started to turn color.
• Wheat harvest was 99% complete, ahead of last year’s 98% but equal to average.
• Oat harvest was 97% complete, ahead of last year’s 87% and the 94% average.
• Dry bean condition rated 1% very poor, 5% poor, 25% fair, 63% good, and 6% excellent. Dry bean acreage blooming was 98%, ahead of last year’s 91% and the 92% average. Acreage setting pods was 64%, ahead of 52% last year and 60% average.
• Alfalfa rated 1% very poor, 2% poor, 12% fair, 71% good, and 14% excellent. Second cutting of alfalfa was 97% complete, behind the last year’s and the average of 98%. The third cutting of alfalfa was 47% complete, ahead of 39% last year and 43% average.
• Wild hay conditions rated 1% very poor, 1% poor, 9% fair, 71% good, and 18% excellent. Wild hay harvested was 84% complete.
• Pasture and range conditions rated 0% very poor, 1% poor, 8% fair, 77% good, and 14% excellent, well above year ago.

This release is based on data from FSA county directors.

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service