Cold, Wet Keep Minn. Farmers From Spring Planting
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Cold and wet conditions from the fourth snowiest winter on record are keeping Minnesota farmers from getting going on spring planting.
In its weekly crop weather report for Minnesota, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Monday that producers are still expecting full-scale fieldwork to begin April 25, which is unchanged from last week's estimate.
But there has been some progress. Planting of oats is 4 percent complete, compared with 61 percent last year at this time and a five-year average of 21 percent. Barley is 1 percent planted, compared with 40 percent last year and an 11 percent average.
Some producers have begun light tillage and spreading fertilizer. Land prepared for corn and soybeans is rated 2 percent and 1 percent respectively.
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