Drier conditions and warmer temperatures resulted in more time in the field for local farmers according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service weekly crop report. For the time period of the week ending June 19th there were 5.2 days deemed suitable for fieldwork with most of that time spent cutting hay and spraying corn and soybeans.

Topsoil moisture for the week was rated 6% surplus, 74% adequate, 17% short and 3% very short with subsoil moisture 4% surplus, 73% adequate, 19% short and 4% very short. Weekly statewide average precipitation was 0.84″, below the normal 1.36″.

Corn condition was rated 83% good to excellent with 93% of beans having emerged, six days behind last year but three days ahead of average pace. The state’s soybean crop is rated 80% good to excellent. Of the oat crop, 62% has headed, three days behind last year with 82% holding good to excellent status.

The majority of the state’s first alfalfa hay cutting is finished at 81%, one week behind 2021 and four days behind average with some operations having begun a second cutting. The hay crop is rated 73% good to excellent. Pasture condition is 62% good to excellent. Warmer temperatures have caused some stress for livestock.