Farmers make big advance planting soybeans

Published 9:48 am Tuesday, May 22, 2012

ST. PAUL  — Warm weather is helping Minnesota farmers make rapid progress planting soybeans.

According to the USDA’s weekly crop-weather report Monday, soybean planting in Minnesota has jumped to 81 percent complete. That compares with 30 percent last year and a five-year average of 56 percent.

Canola and potato planting are nearly complete. Six days were rated suitable for fieldwork statewide for the week ending Sunday.

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Despite scattered showers over the weekend, dry conditions persist in most parts of Minnesota. Topsoil moisture supplies declined from the previous week and are now rated 2 percent very short, 17 percent short, 76 adequate and 5 percent surplus.

In the first corn condition rating of the year, Minnesota’s corn crop is rated 2 percent poor, 14 percent fair, 71 percent good and 13 percent excellent.

Rain is in the forecast for later this week.