Crops healthy, but progress lags

FARGO, N.D. -- The National Agricultural Statistics Service says crops in the region still are slow to develop because of the cool, wet planting season, but there are signs they are catching up, even as the last of the soybeans and sunflowers are planted in the region. Here are state details from the July 5 report:

North Dakota

The week ending July 5 was the most favorable work week of the summer in North Dakota so far this spring and summer. NASS judged that there were an average of 5.8 days suitable for fieldwork, as farmers scrambled to finish planting. Barley, dry edible peas, dry edible beans and flaxseed all saw 10 percent or more of their acres planted during the week.

Topsoil moisture still is 98 percent adequate to surplus, with 36 percent of the state in the surplus category. Wyndmere, Oakes and Hillsboro led the state with more than a half-inch of rain each during the week. Only a small area southwest of Bowman is ranked "short" of moisture, though Bowman itself is about 5.5 inches ahead of normal since April 1.

- Barley: 89 percent planted, 79 percent prior week, 100 percent average; 57 percent "jointed" stage; 13 percent "boot," compared with 79 percent average from 2006 to '10. Condition: 79 percent good to excellent, 74 percent prior week.

- Durum: 78 percent planted, 60 percent prior week, 100 percent average; 62 percent emerged, 48 percent prior week, 100 percent average; 28 percent jointed, 78 percent average; 4 percent boot, 51 percent average. Condition: 66 percent good to excellent, 63 percent prior week.

- Spring wheat: 95 percent planted, 90 percent average; 90 percent emerged; 90 percent emerged, 85 percent last week; 60 percent jointed, 32 percent last week, 92 percent average; 21 percent boot, 73 percent average. Condition: 76 percent good to excellent, 70 percent prior week.

- Oats: 97 percent planted, 90 percent prior week; 88 percent emerged, 77 percent prior week; 56 percent jointed, 31 percent prior week; 19 percent boot, 74 percent average. Condition, 82 percent good to excellent, 73 percent prior week.

- Canola: 84 percent planted, 80 percent prior week. Condition, 78 percent good to excellent, 72 percent prior week.

- Dry edible beans: 98 percent emerged; 1 percent blooming, 12 percent average. Condition: 67 percent good to excellent, 60 percent prior week.

- Dry edible peas: 86 percent planted, 76 percent prior week; 63 percent emerged, 59 percent prior week; 21 percent flowering, 1 percent prior week, 73 percent average. Condition: 61 percent good to excellent, 58 percent prior week.

- Flaxseed: 86 percent planted, 74 percent prior week; 74 percent emerged, 67 percent prior week; 2 percent blooming 28 percent average. Condition: 59 percent good to excellent, 55 percent prior week.

- Potatoes: 97 percent emerged; 7 percent blooming, 30 percent average. Condition: 14 percent poor or very poor, 36 percent fair, 50 percent good to excellent; 10 percent poor or very poor prior week, 39 percent fair, 51 percent good to excellent.

- Soybeans: 99 percent emerged, 92 percent prior week; 1 percent blooming, 14 percent average. Condition: 72 percent good to excellent, 71 percent prior week.

- Sunflowers: 91 percent planted, 86 percent last week; 83 percent emerged, 65 percent prior week, 98 percent average. Condition: 68 percent good to excellent, 60 percent prior week.

Minnnesota

There were 5.1 days suitable for field work the week before July 5 -- the second-highest all season. Topsoil moisture now is 70 percent adequate and 28 percent surplus. (The state had to suspend weather and precipitation information because of the government shutdown.)

The week found crops largely in good condition but still behind normal.

Crop development

- Corn: 25 inch height, 43 inch average. Condition: 71 percent good to excellent, 70 percent prior week.

- Soybeans: 7 inch height, 11 inches average. Condition, 66 percent good to excellent, 67 percent prior week.

- Oats: 54 percent heading, 79 percent average. Condition, 77 percent good to excellent, 76 percent prior week.

- Spring wheat: 35 inch heading, 67 percent average. Condition, 71 percent good to excellent, 76 percent prior week.

- Barley: 27 percent heading, 67 percent average. Condition: 75 percent good to excellent, 77 percent prior week.

- Dry beans: 99 percent emerged and 1 percent blooming, averages unavailable. Condition: 59 percent good to excellent, 62 percent prior week.

- Alfalfa: 88 percent first-cut, 94 percent average. Condition: 81 percent good to excellent, same as prior week.

SOUTH DAKOTA

The state pegged 4.9 days as suitable for field work, with some farmers continuing to plant soybeans and sunflowers and most spraying corn and cutting hay.

The entire state is above-average in precipitation, with the northeast corner less than 2 inches above normal for accumulated amounts since April 1, and much of the western two thirds of the state 3 to 4 inches above normal. Some southeast and south central towns are 6 inches or more than 8 inches ahead during the growing season.

Crop summaries

- Winter wheat: 92 percent headed; 28 percent turning color, 70 percent average. Condition: 73 percent good to excellent.

- Barley: 12 percent headed, 71 percent average. Condition: 79 percent good to excellent.

- Oats: 54 percent headed, 79 percent average. Condition: 80 percent good to excellent.

- Spring wheat: 50 percent headed, 83 percent average. Condition: 67 percent good to excellent.

- Corn: 22 inch height, 32 inch average; 30 percent second cultivation/spray, 51 percent average. Condition: 69 percent good to excellent.

- Soybeans: 99 percent emerged; 1 percent blooming, 13 percent average. Condition: 68 percent good to excellent.

- Sunflowers: 97 percent planted, 97 percent average. Condition: 55 percent good to excellent.

MONTANA

Much of the state is wetter than normal, but temperatures are starting to climb.

Crops are planted by the report date. Emergence almost is complete. Crops in the boot stage compared with the five-year average are barley, 19 percent, 81 percent average; oats, 19 percent, 80 percent average; spring wheat, 15 percent, 77 percent average; durum, 3 percent, 62 percent average; winter wheat 91 percent, 98 percent average. About 35 percent of the dry peas were blooming compared with a 70 percent average. Lentils in bloom were 234 percent, compared with a 53 percent average.

Pasture conditions were 39 percent good and 46 percent excellent, or 85 percent in the two categories, compared with the five-year average of 43 percent good and 18 percent excellent, or 61 percent in the combined categories.