News

Hurry up and wait for Minnesota farmers

Minnesota farmers had to wait out another week of cold, wet weather.

USDA’s latest weekly crop update says there were less than two days suitable for fieldwork because of rain and snow.

Bryan Biegler grows corn and soybeans near Lake Wilson in southwest Minnesota and tells Brownfield they are preparing for planting.

“We’re still working in the stop, trying to put a strip-freshener together and getting a couple little things finished up on the planter yet. And just getting some chemical and finishing getting supplies around that we need.”

He says if conditions allow, fieldwork could begin by the end of the week.

Topsoil moisture supplies in Minnesota are rated 65 percent adequate to surplus, and levels in the subsoil are rated 50 percent adequate to surplus.

Small grain planting has slowed with spring wheat two percent planted, barley at one percent, and oats nine percent planted and two percent emerged.