By Scout Nelson
The week ending May 11, 2025, brought unseasonably hot and dry weather, allowing 6.6 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. This ideal fieldwork window led to rapid planting and early crop emergence across the state.
Topsoil moisture was affected by the dry conditions. It was rated 6% very short, 27% short, 65% adequate, and 2% surplus. Subsoil moisture levels showed a similar pattern, with 6% very short, 27% short, 64% adequate, and 3% surplus.
Corn planting progress reached 75%, which is six days ahead of both last year and the five-year average. Thirty percent of the corn had already emerged, putting it five days ahead of typical emergence. Soybean planting stood at 52%, about eight days earlier than last year and six days ahead of the five-year average. Soybean emergence hit 14%, nearly a week ahead of average.
Other crop updates included 48% of barley planted with 13% emergence. Oats were 72% planted with 34% emerged. Spring wheat reached 67% planted and 20% emerged. Dry edible beans were 18% planted, while potatoes reached 48%, sugar beets 91%, and sunflowers 21%.
Hay and pasture conditions remain steady despite dry conditions. Hay was rated 2% very poor, 3% poor, 38% fair, 48% good, and 9% excellent. Pasture conditions followed closely with 2% very poor, 4% poor, 40% fair, 46% good, and 8% excellent.
“Farmers took advantage, making substantial planting progress,” the USDA noted, highlighting the quick response to this rare stretch of warm and dry spring weather.
Photo Credit:gettyimages-eugenesergeev
Categories: Minnesota, Crops, Corn, Soybeans, Wheat, Sugar Beets, Weather