(ND Ag Connection) – By Scout Nelson

In North Dakota, crop harvest is approaching completion as farmers took advantage of 6.4 suitable days for fieldwork for the week ending October 27, 2024, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

While weather conditions were favorable for fieldwork, topsoil and subsoil moisture levels continue to vary across the state.

Topsoil moisture was rated at 25% very short, 36% short, 38% adequate, and 1% surplus, while subsoil moisture was similarly rated with 24% very short, 33% short, 42% adequate, and 1% surplus.

Significant progress was made in soybean harvesting, which reached 95%, closely aligned with last year’s 92% and surpassing the five-year average of 82%.

Corn harvest also advanced, reaching 71%, well ahead of both last year’s 54% and the 52% five-year average. Other crops, including sugarbeets and sunflowers, showed strong harvest rates. Sugarbeet harvesting was 95% complete, slightly behind last year’s 96% but ahead of the five-year average of 85%. Sunflower harvesting progressed to 46%, exceeding last year’s 34% and the 40% average.

Winter wheat planting and emergence are also progressing well. Planting reached 97%, consistent with last year and near the 99% five-year average.

Winter wheat emergence was at 87%, closely matching last year’s 84% and equal to the average. Winter wheat conditions were rated as 43% good, with 6% rated as excellent.

Pasture and range conditions varied due to mixed soil moisture availability, with 20% rated very poor and 22% poor, while 27% were rated good. Stock water supplies across the state were affected, with 16% rated very short and 25% short.

The harvest season is wrapping up in North Dakota as farmers continue to manage diverse fields and moisture conditions, aiming to complete the season successfully.