MN Planting Wrapping Up

Continued dry weather conditions allowed for 5.2 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 31, 2020, according USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Field activities for the week included spraying, planting, moving cattle and cutting hay. 

Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 2% very short, 10% short, 79% adequate and 9% surplus.  Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 1% very short, 6% short, 80% adequate and 13% surplus. 

Minnesota’s corn planting progress was almost complete at 99% planted.  Corn was 91% emerged, which was 19 days ahead of last year and 8 days ahead of the 5-year average.  Corn condition rated 83% good to excellent. 

Soybean planting progress was 95% completed, 17 days ahead of last year and 10 days ahead of average.  Soybean emergence reached 73%, which is 18 days ahead of last year and 1 week ahead of average.  The first soybean condition of the season was 0% very poor, 1% poor, 15% fair, 65% good and 19% excellent. 

Minnesota small grain planting progress was nearly complete. 

Spring wheat emergence, at 71%, remained 8 days behind average.  Wheat jointing was at 17%, 5 days behind average. The first spring wheat condition of the season was 0% very poor, 0% poor, 19% fair, 53% good and 28% excellent. 

Oat emergence was 2 days ahead of average at 90%.  Oats jointing and heading were both ahead of last year and the average at 48% and 8%, respectively. Oat condition rated 78% good to excellent.Barley was 78% emerged and 19% jointed with condition rated at 84% good to excellent. 

Sunflower planting was 4 days behind average at 75% complete. 

Potato planting progress moved up to 1 day ahead of average to 94% complete. 

Sugarbeet planting progress was almost complete at 99% planted. 

Dry beans were 71% planted and 36% emerged. 

The first cutting of alfalfa hay was in full swing and was 21% completed. Hay condition was rated 68% good to excellent. Pasture conditions remained at 67% good to excellent.