A mild week weather wise gave Minnesota farmers 4.2 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending May 21st, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The majority of fieldwork for the week was planting crops.
Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 12% short to very short, 68% adequate and 20% surplus.
Corn planting reached 80% complete, 1 week ahead of last year and 1 day ahead of the 5 year average. Corn emergence reached 44%.
Soybean planting was 53% complete, 1 week ahead of last year, but 1 day behind the 5 year average. Soybean emergence reached 19%.
In Iowa, cooler than normal temperatures and relatively dry weather helped farmers to 4.8 days suitable for fieldwork last week according to the USDA. Farmers were still planting corn, soybeans and oats, although planting activities were nearing completion.
Topsoil moisture conditions were rated 25% short to very short, 71% adequate and 4% surplus.
Ninety five percent of Iowa’s expected corn crop has been planted, 9 days ahead of last year and 12 days ahead of the 5 year average. Sixty five percent of the corn crop has emerged, 6 days ahead of last year and 4 days ahead of average.
Eighty four percent of Iowa’s expected soybean crop has been planted, just over a week ahead of last year and nearly 2 weeks ahead of normal. Forty three percent of soybeans have emerged, 8 days ahead of last year and 6 days ahead of average.