Drier and warmer conditions allowed ag workers to spend more time in the field during the recently completed week. According to the USDA, there were 5.8 days suitable for fieldwork in the week ending June 26th. Work during that time included cutting hay and spraying crops.

Topsoil moisture is listed as 5% surplus, 67% adequate, 22% short and 6% very short while subsoil moisture is 5% surplus, 68% adequate, 22% short and 5% very short.

This week the state corn crop is listed as 80% good to excellent. The soybean crop is 97% emerged, four days behind last year but three days ahead of the five-year average. In beans, 2% are blooming, 12 days behind last year and a week behind average. The crop is rated at 80% good to excellent. In oats, 80% of the crop has headed, two days behind last year, with 12% of the crop turning color, six days behind last year. The oat crop is rated 81% good to excellent.

The state’s first alfalfa cutting of 2022 is listed as 91% complete with a second cutting underway and 6% finished. All hay is rated at 72% good to excellent and pasture condition is rated 62% good to excellent.