Corn, bean planting catches up
Published Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Corn is mostly planted in Otter Tail County, with the exception of low-lying areas where farmers have gone back into the fields following heavy rainfall. Soybean planting is in full swing, according to Regional Extension Educator Doug Holen, Fergus Falls.
“Soybean planting is complete in some fields in western Otter Tail County,” Holen said. “Farmers in the mid section of the county and those in eastern Otter Tail County are working hard to get their soybean planting completed. The weather is good and most of this should be done by week’s end.”
Across the state, according to the Associated Press, corn and soybean plantings in Minnesota are starting to catch up from a late start. Planting of spring wheat, sugarbeets and potatoes are close to or ahead of their five-year averages.
“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 the previous week,” Holen said. “Farmers in the central and eastern part of the county were a little further behind, but not by much.”
As of Sunday, corn planting statewide was 67 percent complete, compared with 95 percent last year and a 92 percent five-year average. Corn was three percent emerged, compared with 71 percent last year and a 46 percent average.
Soybeans were 25 percent planted, compared with 74 percent last year and a 52 percent average.
Spring wheat was 91 percent planted, compared to 97 percent last year and a 92 percent average. Thirty-nine percent of spring wheat was emerged compared with 74 percent last year and a 63 percent average.
Oats were 84 percent planted compared to 96 percent last year and a 95 percent average. Potatoes were 82 percent planted compared to 87 percent last year and an 81 percent average.
Ninety-three percent of sugarbeets were planted compared to 99 percent last year and a 95 percent average.
There were a statewide average of 4.2 days suitable for field work last week. The average temperature for the week was 53 degrees, 3.2 degrees below normal.
Statewide topsoil moisture supplies as of Friday were rated 0 percent very short, three percent short, 78 percent adequate and 19 percent surplus.
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