Sept. 20, 2010

The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service reports the following crop conditions, based on reports from FSA county directors and extension educators.

Corn condition rated 1% very poor, 4% poor, 12% fair, 57% good, and 26% excellent, above a year ago. Irrigated fields were 85% good or excellent and dryland fields rated 79%. Corn reaching the dent stage was 98%, ahead of 90% last year and 95% average. Mature corn was at 48%, ahead of 14% last year and the 37% average. Corn harvest was 5% complete, ahead of the 3% average.

Soybean conditions rated 2% very poor, 3% poor, 16% fair, 55% good, and 24% excellent, near last year. Soybean acreage turning color was 86%, equal to last year and average. Acreage dropping leaves was 44%, ahead of 36% last year and equal to average. The first fields of soybeans were harvested.

Sorghum conditions rated 3% poor, 21% fair, 57% good, and 19% excellent, above last year. Sorghum acreage turning color was 94%, well ahead of last year’s 71% and the 88% average. Sorghum mature was 16%, ahead of last year’s 4% but behind the 20% average. The first fields of sorghum were harvested.

Winter wheat seeding was 51% complete, near last year's 52% but ahead of the 45% average. Winter wheat emerged was 7%, behind last year’s 20% and the 13% average.

Dry beans condition rated 5% poor, 22% fair, 68% good, and 5% excellent, above last year. Dry bean acreage dropping leaves was 75%, ahead of last year’s 68% and the 67% average. Dry beans harvested was 53%, ahead of 42% last year and the 30% average.

Proso millet harvest was at 54%, well ahead of last year's 27% and the 36% average.

Alfalfa rated 2% very poor, 4% poor, 16% fair, 61% good, and 17% excellent. The fourth cutting of alfalfa progressed to 64%, ahead of 56% last year and the 52% average.

Pasture and range conditions rated 2% poor, 14% fair, 72% good, and 12% excellent, above year ago levels.