ST. PAUL — Minnesota farmers are planting soybeans at a near-record pace.

Despite only four days suitable for fieldwork, the USDA says over one-third of Minnesota’s soybean acreage was planted during the week ending Sunday. That ties for the most planted in this week in 30 years.

Soybean planting is 70 percent complete, the most planted by this date in 30 years.

Minnesota’s corn planting is nearly complete, and 39 percent of the corn crop has emerged, the second most in 30 years.

Small grain seeding also is nearly complete. The barley crop is 78 percent emerged, well ahead of last year — when none of the crop had emerged by now — and just over three weeks ahead of the five-year average.

Oats and spring wheat progress also is ahead of last year.

Farmers in the area may have fewer days of planting in the next week, however, as rain is expected beginning Wednesday night into Saturday evening, according to the National Weather Service.

Conditions call for breezy conditions today and mostly sunny skies on Wednesday before the chance of showers comes into play Wednesday night.

Temperatures are slated in the 50s, 60s and 70s the rest of the week after dropping to the 40s tonight.