HUMBOLDT - Crops are progressing quickly in the northeast with the warm and dry weather, according to the crop report for the period of July 11 to 17. Producers are hoping for rain soon to help maintain soil moisture reserves.
Little precipitation was received in the region this week. The Arborfield area received the most at five mm. Other areas in the region reported only trace amounts or none at all. Soil moisture saw a slight decrease this past week. Seventeen per cent of cropland has adequate topsoil moisture, 74 per cent is short and nine per cent is very short. Hay and pasture land is similar, where 10 per cent has adequate topsoil moisture, 72 per cent is short and 18 per cent is very short.
Crops are progressing quickly in the northeast region. Fall cereals are now 94 per cent ahead of normal stages of development for this week. Oilseeds are the least advanced in stages of development, with 53 per cent being at normal stages.
Producers are progressing through haying. Only 10 per cent of the first cut of hay is still standing, while 12 per cent is cut and 78 per cent has been baled or silaged. The hay from the first cut is reported as being good quality. Some producers in the region are hoping to achieve a second cut. Hay yield estimates range from 0.5 (wild) to 1.9 (alfalfa) tons per acre. Silage yield for the region is estimated at 2.0 tons per acre.
Crop damage this week is mainly due to dry conditions. Producers are busy finishing haying and are preparing for harvest.
