Strong thunderstorms moved across the northern and central parts of Minnesota during the week ending Sunday, July 17, limiting farmers’ opportunities for fieldwork, according to the Minnesota Field office of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

There were 3.3 days suitable for fieldwork. There were reports of damaging wind, hail and excessive rainfall leading to flooding in some areas. Some farmers were still assessing damage to crops last week.

Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 73% adequate and 26% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 77% adequate and 17% surplus.

Wind, hail, rain batter crops in northern, central Minnesota

Minnesota’s corn acreage advanced to 51% silked, five days ahead of the five-year average and three days ahead of last year. Corn condition rated 82% good to excellent, up 1 percentage point from the previous week.

Seventy-two percent of the soybean crop was blooming or beyond, 8 days ahead of average but equal to last year. Twelve percent of the soybean crop was setting pods. Soybean condition rated 78% good to excellent.

Sixty-one percent of the spring wheat acreage was turning color, 10 days ahead of average and 2 days ahead of last year. Spring wheat condition rated 70% good to excellent.

Seventy-eight percent of the oat crop was turning color, 12 days ahead of average and 5 days ahead of the previous year. Oat condition rated 81% good to excellent, up 1 percentage point from the previous week.

Seventy-one percent of the barley crop was turning color, 12 days ahead of average. Barley condition rated 64% good to excellent, down 4 percentage points from the previous week.

There were scattered reports of producers harvesting small grains. Seventy-two percent of the dry edible bean crop was blooming, with 5% setting pods.

Dry edible bean condition rated 68% good to excellent.

Sunflower condition rated 51% good to excellent, up 1 percentage point from last week.

Potato condition rated 89% good to excellent.

Sugarbeet condition rated 86% good to excellent.

The second cutting of alfalfa hay was 72% complete, 6 days ahead of last year. The third cutting of alfalfa hay was 13% complete. All hay condition rated 80% good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 79% good to excellent, up 3 percentage points from the previous week.