(ND Ag Connection) – The week ending November 19, 2023, offered 5.9 days suitable for fieldwork in North Dakota, as reported by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Soil moisture levels were variable, with topsoil moisture at 5% very short and 7% surplus, and subsoil moisture at 6% very short and 4% surplus.

In the field crops report, winter wheat showed a positive outlook, with 55% rated good and 6% excellent. Only 1% was reported as very poor.

Corn harvests lagged slightly behind last year at 87% but outperformed the five-year average of 77%. Sunflower harvests were less promising at 72%, falling behind both last year’s and the average rates.

Pasture and range conditions also varied, with ratings spanning from 3% very poor to 41% good, and 1% excellent.

Stock water supplies were predominantly adequate, with 83% rated as such, though a small portion was either very short or in surplus.