News
Minnesota soybean planting off to best start since 1963
Another week of beneficial weather has put corn planting progress in Minnesota a month ahead of last year and two weeks ahead of normal.
The USDA says 76 percent of the state’s intended acres are planted, compared to five percent last year and the five-year average of 36 percent.
Nick Meixel of Lake Crystal in south-central Minnesota says conditions have been almost perfect.
“It’s dry on the top, and yet we’re still getting the seed down into some moisture. We’ve got beautiful weather, got some heat right now. The sun is shining, the wind is blowing. Just all around good ideal planting conditions.”
Soybean planting is also pacing way ahead at 35 percent complete. That’s the most acreage planted by May 3rd in Minnesota since 1963.
Spring wheat planting is two weeks behind normal at 21 percent.
Sugarbeet planting, at 38 percent done, is a week ahead of last year but nine days off the usual pace.
