Fieldwork progress and crop conditions as of mid-November

By Scout Nelson

The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service recently released a report for the week ending November 12, 2023, providing valuable insights into the country's agricultural activities.

Farmers had 6. 7 days suitable for fieldwork, with topsoil moisture rated mostly adequate at 74%. Subsoil moisture also showed similar trends. This has implications for both crop growth and harvesting conditions.

The corn harvest reached 87%, which is a slight lag compared to last year's 95%, but still ahead of the five-year average of 78%. This indicates a slower but steady pace in corn harvesting this year.

The condition of winter wheat showed a diverse range, with 10% rated excellent and 5% very poor. Notably, 93% of winter wheat has emerged, outpacing both last year's and the average figures, suggesting a promising start for this crop.

Sorghum and sunflower harvests were also reported. The sorghum harvest matched the average at 86%, while sunflower harvesting, at 72%, was close to the average but significantly behind last year's progress.

The report included an assessment of pasture and range conditions, vital for livestock grazing. These were mostly rated good or fair, indicating generally favorable conditions for livestock.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-eugenesergeev