Minnesota Ag Connection - Minnesota Planting Lags Behind 1- and 5-Year Averages

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Minnesota Planting Lags Behind 1- and 5-Year Averages
Minnesota Ag Connection - 05/14/2019

Minnesota farmers took advantage of the 3.3 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Sunday, according to USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities included hauling manure, spreading fertilizer, and planting. Planting progress was made for all crops in Minnesota, although much of the progress made came out of the northwestern part of the State having missed much of the precipitation that the rest of Minnesota received.

Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 1 percent very short, 1 percent short, 58 percent adequate and 40 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 0 percent very short, 2 percent short, 56 percent adequate and 42 percent surplus.

Twenty-one percent of Minnesota's corn was planted, 3 days behind the previous year and 15 days behind the five-year average. Soybeans were 3 percent planted, 2 weeks behind the average.

Thirty-five percent of spring wheat has been planted, 4 days behind last year and 12 days behind the average. Oats were 44 percent planted, 12 days behind normal. Thirteen percent of the oat crop had emerged, 16 days behind the average. Barley planted reached 30 percent, 2 days behind last year and 11 days behind normal.

Two percent of dry edible beans has been planted, 1 week behind last year and 11 days behind normal. Sunflowers were 2 percent planted, roughly 2 weeks behind last year and the 5-year average. Potatoes planted were 33 percent complete, 10 days behind the average. Sugarbeets were 54 percent planted, 4 days behind last year and 10 days behind the average.

Reports indicated that forage and pasture growth have continued, but was slowed by the colder temperatures. All hay condition rated 64 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 61 percent good to excellent.

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