Fieldwork progress and crop update by USDA

By Scout Nelson

For the week ending August 18, 2024, the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service reported 5.5 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated at 9% very short, 31% short, 56% adequate, and 4% surplus, while subsoil moisture was rated at 10% very short, 32% short, 54% adequate, and 4% surplus.

The field crops report showed that corn conditions were rated 3% very poor, 6% poor, 19% fair, 49% good, and 23% excellent. Corn in the dough stage was at 76%, close to last year’s 79% and the five-year average of 77%. Corn dented reached 41%, slightly ahead of last year’s 37% and above the 30% average. Corn maturity was at 6%, ahead of 1% both last year and the average.

Soybean conditions were rated as 2% very poor, 4% poor, 20% fair, 55% good, and 19% excellent. Soybean setting pods reached 88%, surpassing last year’s 80% and near the 86% average. The percentage of soybeans dropping leaves was 3%, like 2% both last year and the average.

Sorghum conditions were reported as 0% very poor, 3% poor, 23% fair, 55% good, and 19% excellent. The Sorghum heading was at 94%, ahead of last year’s 84% and the 85% average, with 20% of the crop coloring, close to last year’s and on par with the average.

Oat harvesting was nearly complete at 96%, close to 93% last year and matching the average. Dry edible beans were in generally good condition, with 5% rated very poor, 7% poor, 28% fair, 44% good, and 16% excellent. Dry edible beans setting pods reached 82%, significantly ahead of 64% last year and the 74% average.

Pasture and range conditions were rated at 8% very poor, 17% poor, 31% fair, 29% good, and 15% excellent.

Photo Credits: gettyimages-dmytro-diedov