U.S. Beans Making Good Progress

WASHINGTON - Jul 28/14 - SNS -- Dry edible bean crops continued to make good progress in the United States during the past week, with hotter weather helping crops in some states make up ground lost earlier due to late seeding, judging from the latest state level crop progress reports from USDA NASS reporters.

Colorado experienced above normal temperatures and increased precipitation throughout the state during the past week. The additional heat units accelerated crop development in most instances while scattered showers and thunderstorms hampered harvesting and cutting activities, although good progress was still made last week. Around 65% of the dry bean crop was blooming, up from 45% last week. This is compared with 49% last year and the average of 49%.

In Michigan, crop reporters noted that with many crops approaching reproductive stages, warmer temperatures and much needed precipitation for the last couple of weeks have accelerated development and maturity in northern parts of the state. Conversely, dry weather conditions in the central and southern parts of the state encouraged wheat and hay harvest last week.

Crop conditions in Minnesota fared well but development remained behind normal for the week ending July 27. Farmers in southern Minnesota would like to see their crops receive a shot of rain to recharge moisture levels, while farmers in the northern part of the state experienced heavy rains earlier in the week. Dry edible beans progressed to 62% at or beyond the blooming stage, with 19% of the plants setting pods. Sunflower conditions were rated 38% good to excellent.