Area’s crops could use some warm weather to mature

Increasing moisture levels helped improve pasture and row crop conditions for many Minnesota crops, but farmers would like to see warmer conditions to advance row development, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Temperatures have been slightly below average throughout the summer with the area only seeing two days reach 90 degrees. The cold weather forecast for the second half of this week is not going to be a help at all as highs fall to near record lows in the low to mid-50s.
Highs should be averaging 73-74 degrees during the middle of September, but there are no 70s in the forecast until next week.
Topsoil and subsoil moisture levels have significantly improved since this time last year when the area was suffering drought conditions. But rather than looking to the skies for more rain, area farmers would rather see blue skies and warm temperatures for a few weeks this September.
Topsoil conditions
Date    v short    short    adequate    surplus
Sept. 7    0    7    82    11
Sept 8, 2013    31    38    31    0
Subsoil conditions
Date    V short    short    adequate    surplus
Sept. 7    0    11    83    6
Sept 8, 2013    23    38    39    0
Ninety-four percent of the corn crop was at or beyond the dough stage, slightly ahead of last year and the five-year average. With 72 percent of the crop in good to excellent condition, 61 percent of the corn crop was at or beyond the dent stage.