Widespread rainfall early last week improved soil moisture conditions and supported crop progress, according to Cheryl Turner, state statistician, USDA NASS, Ohio Field Office. Topsoil moisture conditions were rated 1 percent very short, 20 percent short, 68 percent adequate, and 11 percent surplus. Statewide, the average temperature for the week ending Sunday was 77.2 degrees, 3.3 degrees above normal. Weather stations recorded an average of 1.60 inches of precipitation, 0.60 inches above average. There were 4.4 days suitable for fieldwork during the week.
Activities for the week included fungicide applications on corn and manure spreading on wheat stubble.
Corn silking progress was 55 percent complete, corn dough progress was 8 percent complete, and corn condition was rated 55 percent good to excellent.
Soybeans blooming progress was 65 percent and pod setting progress reached 27 percent. Fifty-four percent of soybean plants were reported as being in good to excellent condition.
Oats were 95 percent headed and 27 percent harvested, with crop condition reported as 76 percent good to excellent.
Second cuttings of alfalfa hay were 79 percent complete while second cuttings of other dry hay were 61 percent complete. Third cuttings of alfalfa hay and other dry hay were 13 and 5 percent complete, respectively.
Farmers reported that the previous week's precipitation resulted in improved regrowth and greening in pastures. Pasture and range condition was reported as 65 percent good to excellent.
Categories: Ohio, Crops, Corn, Soybeans, Alfalfa, Weather