Mild and dry days throughout most of last week supported late-season harvest progress, according to Cheryl Turner, state statistician, USDA NASS, Ohio Field Office. Dry conditions persisted across many western and central counties during the past week, with the U.S. Drought Monitor showing moderate to severe drought in 66.8 percent of the State as of Nov. 8, up from 42.6 percent the week before.
Abnormally dry conditions or worse were observed in 88.3 percent of the State, up from 85.6 percent during the previous week. Field fire potential remained a concern in southwestern counties. A multi-week pattern of dry days was broken last Friday when remnants of Hurricane Nicole soaked extensive portions of southern and eastern counties. Topsoil moisture conditions were rated 22 percent very short, 30 percent short, 46 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus. Statewide, the average temperature for the week ending Sunday was 48.2 degrees, 5.7 degrees above normal. Weather stations recorded an average of 1.36 inches of precipitation, 0.56 inches above average. There were 5.1 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Sunday.
Fieldwork during the previous week included fall tillage, fertilizer application, and lime spreading.
Corn for grain was 87 percent harvested, and the average moisture content of corn grain at harvest was 18 percent. Soybeans harvested reached 96 percent, and the average moisture content of soybeans at harvest was 12 percent. Winter wheat was 83 percent emerged and winter wheat condition was rated 55 percent good to excellent.
Categories: Ohio, Crops