Minnesota farmers catch up on planting after late start

Published 9:28 pm Monday, May 21, 2018

ST. PAUL — Minnesota farmers have taken advantage of some of the best weather all season to catch up on spring planting after a late start due to the cold, wet spring.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said Minnesota farmers had 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork last week, the most they’ve had in a week all season.

The department’s weekly crop progress and condition report Monday said corn planting is 77 percent complete, just three days behind the five-year average and one week behind last year. Soybeans are 48 percent planted. That’s three days behind the average and five days behind last year’s pace.

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Minnesota’s spring wheat is 85 percent planted. That’s also three days ahead of the five-year average.

Corn and small grains are starting to emerge thanks to the warm weather.