Minnesota Crop Planting Wrapping Up

Dry weather conditions allowed for 4.5 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 24, 2020, according USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. 

Field activities for the week included planting, spraying and preparing hay cutting equipment. 

Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 1% very short, 7% short, 78% adequate and 14% surplus. 

Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 0% very short, 5% short, 80% adequate and 15% surplus. 

Minnesota’s corn reached 98% planted. Corn was 80% emerged, which was 3 weeks ahead of last year and 8 days ahead of the 5-year average. 

The first corn condition of the season rated 0% very poor, 1% poor, 18% fair, 63% good and 18% excellent. 

Soybean planting progress was 88% completed, 20 days ahead of last year and 11 days ahead of average. 

Soybean emergence reached 46%, which is 17 days ahead of last year and 6 days ahead of average. Spring wheat planting progress was 86% complete. 

This is 1 day ahead of last year but 6 days behind average. Emergence, at 51%, remained a week behind average. 

Scattered reports of wheat jointing was observed. Oat planting progress was nearly complete at 96%. 

Oat emergence was 11 days ahead of last year at 79%. 

Oats jointing moved 1 day ahead of average to 31%. Oat condition rated 77% good to excellent. 

Nearly one-quarter of the barley acreage was planted last week leading to 93% planted statewide. 

Barley was 53% emerged and 11% jointed. The first barley condition of the season rated 0% very poor, 1% poor, 17% fair, 75% good and 7% excellent. 

Sunflower planting was 1 day ahead of last year at 47% complete. 

Potato planting progress remained ahead of last year at 85% complete. 

Sugarbeets were 90% planted, 1 day behind last year. 

Dry beans were 46% planted and 21% emerged. 

Scattered reports of hay cutting were reported. 

Hay condition was rated 69% good to excellent. 

Pasture conditions remained at 66% good to excellent.