Crops are still behind average in Minnesota

Article by: Associated Press
Updated: May 1, 2007 - 8:42 AM

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Planting of corn and small grains began in earnest last week, but progress was still behind average, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

More than one-fourth of the corn and oat crops were planted, and sugarbeet and green pea plantings also advanced as warmer temperatures improved field conditions.

Subsoil frost and cool soil temperatures remained in some isolated areas in the northern part of the state, but the average temperature for the week was 54.6 degrees, 6.4 degrees above normal.

Statewide topsoil moisture supplies as of Friday were rated 1 percent very short, 7 short, 79 adequate, and 13 surplus.

As of Sunday, an estimated 28 percent of corn acreage was planted, compared with 43 percent last year and 38 percent for the five-year average. Sugarbeet planting was 38 percent complete, compared with 51 percent for the five-year average.

Spring wheat acreage was 20 percent planted. Oat acreage was 38 percent planted, compared with 68 percent last year, and 57 percent for the average. Nineteen percent of barley acreage was planted, compared with 42 percent last year, and 32 percent for the average.

There were 3.4 days suitable for fieldwork last week.