50 percent of corn planted in Otter Tail

By Tom Hintgen (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Farmers in Otter Tail County have planted corn in half of their fields. Good strides were made during from May 4 through May 9, and Saturday’s rainfall was good for crops, according to Regional Extension Educator Doug Holen, Fergus Falls.

“Even though the target dates for corn planting are from April 15 to May 1, farmers in western Otter Tail County were able to plant a lot of corn last week,” Holen said. “Farmers in the central and eastern part of the county are a little further behind, but not by much.”

Holen said that soybean planting will be going full steam ahead in many parts of the county this week.

“Soybean planting is preferably from May 10 to May 25, so we’re still well within that range,” Holen said. “Wheat was previously planted and fields are greening up nicely in many areas. Warm weather, following Saturday’s steady rainfall, will be just what we need for early corn growth.”

On a statewide basis, Minnesota farmers made large gains in fieldwork and planting last week, according to the Associated Press. Corn planting statewide was 32 percent complete compared with 83 percent last year and 82 percent for the five-year average. Land prepared for soybean planting was only 9 percent complete compared with 50 percent last year and 47 percent for the five-year average.

The average temperature was 49.8 degrees — 3.7 degrees below normal — and topsoil moisture supplies as of Friday were rated 70 percent adequate.