| Dry conditions in the southern two-thirds of the state make
harvesting and fall tillage a challenge, despite limited rainfall over the
weekend, the Minnesota Agricultural Statistics Service said in its weekly
crop weather report.
Dry conditions have resulted in several combine fires as producers
harvest corn from tinder-dry fields. Topsoil moisture conditions across
the state as of Oct. 20 were rated 38 percent very short, 31 percent
short, 28 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus.
More precipitation will be required to allow adequate working of the
soil for next year.
Corn is 85 percent harvested, vs. 69 percent a year ago and 60 percent
for the five-year average. Corn harvest is 11 days ahead of the five-year
average.
An estimated 99 percent of sugar beets have been harvested, identical
to last year's 99 percent and the five-year average of 90 percent. The
sunflower harvest is 64 percent complete, versus 43 percent a year ago and
59 percent for the five-year average. |