Sunshine throughout the week helped to dry out saturated fields and improve the growth of corn and soybeans, according to the USDA, NASS, Great Lakes Region. This past week had the highest days suitable for field work in several weeks, and farmers took advantage of it to spray fields, cut and bale hay, and wrap up wheat harvest. There were 4.8 days suitable for field work, 2.5 days higher than the previous week.
Winter wheat harvest was winding down this week; some farmers reported using wheat for livestock feed instead of putting on market due to high dockage for poor quality. Corn was reported as greening up, but short; tasseling and growth has been unbalanced in many areas of the same fields, as some plants are more mature than others. Some corn has responded to late applications of nitrogen but some areas still appear to have really low levels of nitrogen.
Soybeans continued to put out new leaves and blossoms, but a number of growers reported fields where the plants lack significant growth. More operators indicated that double-crop soybeans will not be planted this year, but some producers are still trying. Some corn and soybean fields were sprayed for weeds, but some are contemplating whether it was worth the cost, time, and effort given the poor crop conditions. Livestock were reported in good condition with only 2 days of extreme muggy conditions last week.
Regionally, winter wheat harvested was 84% in the North, 92% in Central, and 96% in the South. Soybeans blooming was 67% complete in the North, 68% in Central and 74% in the South. By region, soybeans rated good to excellent condition were 41% in the North, 41% in Central and 43% in the South. Corn silking was 67% complete in the North, 69% in Central and 89% in South. By region, corn rated good to excellent condition were 40% in the North, 46% in Central and 56% in the South.
