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Silage harvest begins in Minnesota

Corn harvest for silage is underway in Minnesota.

According to USDA’s latest Crop Progress Report, silage harvest is five percent done thanks to more than five days suitable for fieldwork last week.

With only extreme northern and southern sections of the state receiving significant rainfall, the third cutting of alfalfa advanced to 75 percent complete.

Small grain harvest is nearing the finish line with only five percent remaining to be cut and sugar beet harvest, although just six percent done, is two weeks ahead of normal.

The report also notes that cool temperatures made conditions comfortable for livestock, while pasture condition improved slightly to 73 percent good to excellent.

Corn condition in good to excellent shape remains in the upper 80’s and soybeans just below 80 percent.

Crop development is ahead of normal with 65 percent of the state’s corn acreage now in the dent stage, and 27 percent of soybeans turning color.

And the moisture profile in Minnesota is very healthy with both topsoil and subsoil supplies more than 90 percent adequate to surplus.