Good Weather Boosts Minnesota Small Grain Planting
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota farmers have made early strides in planting small grains, thanks to good weather.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, farmers in Minnesota were able to plant over one-third of the expected small grain acreage and over half of the sugar beet acreage during the week ending Sunday.
The USDA says it's the most productive planting week for small grain growers in 30 years.
There were 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork, the most days suitable in April since 2004.
Small grain seeding is over four weeks ahead of last year and almost three weeks ahead of average. Sugar beet planting is 64 percent complete, the most planted by this date in over 30 years.
Corn is 12 percent planted in Minnesota, more than two weeks ahead of last year.
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