Hot, humid conditions and adequate soil moisture continued to advance crop development at a rapid pace, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Minnesota Field Office.

For the week ending July 31, crop conditions generally improved, though reporters continued to note significant variability in crops. Farmers scouted soybean fields for aphids and prepared for the small grain harvest.

Soybeans blooming advanced 15 percentage points to 72 percent, compared to 89 percent last year and 86 percent for the five-year average. Twenty-four percent of soybeans were setting pods, compared to 45 percent

last year and average. Soybeans were rated 52 percent good and 18 percent excellent, an improvement from the previous week.

Corn silking advanced 29 points from the previous week to 83 percent, compared to 95 percent last year and 85 percent average. Corn in the milk stage was 16 percent, a 14 point advancement from the previous week, compared to 27 percent last year and average. Corn condition was rated 55 percent good and 19 percent excellent, an improvement from the previous week.



Read more: Hutchinson Leader - Weekly crop report