News

Minnesota farmers plant crops, cut hay as dry weather continues

The warm and dry weather gave Minnesota farmers almost six and a half days suitable for fieldwork.  USDA statistician Dan Lofthus says farmers were planting, spraying, and cutting hay in the week ending Sunday.

Minnesota’s corn planting is 93% finished, almost a week ahead of average.  Corn emergence is at 69% with the crop condition at 68% good, 18% fair, and just 12% excellent.

The state’s soybean planting is 86% finished, which is eight days ahead of the five-day average and a full two weeks ahead of last year.  Emergence for soybeans is already at 44%.

Barley planting is 93% finished, oats 94% finished, and spring wheat planting is 97% finished.  Dry edible beans are 67% planted.  Potatoes are now 83% planted.

Minnesota’s hay crop is 76% good to excellent as many farmers are working on first-crop hay harvesting.  Nineteen percent of the alfalfa first crop; hay has been cut.

Topsoil moistures are rated 68% adequate, 20% short, and 7% surplus.