The region's farmers are generally slipping a bit behind schedule for planting because of continuing cool, wet conditions, although many have equipment that can help them catch up if they get the opportunity.
Here are summaries of state reports from the week of Apr. 23-30, reported by the National Agricultural Statistics Service on May 1.
Minnesota
Farmers are seeing their fifth straight week of little fieldwork progress, with only 1.7 days suitable. Topsoil is now rated short on 1 percent of the report, with 70 percent rated adequate and 29 percent surplus. Temperatures in the northwest were 15 degrees less than long-term averages, with the central part of the state 5 to 9 degrees less than average.
About 21 percent of spring wheat was planted, 28 percentage points behind the five-year average, with 5 percent emerged compared to a 22 percent average. Oats were 38 percent complete, compared to a 53 percent average. Barley is 10 percent planted, compared to a 41 percent average.
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Sugar beets were 47 percent planted, compared to a 55 percent average. Corn is 12 percent planted, compared to an average of 41 percent in the past five years at this date. Pasture conditions were rated poor in only 7 percent of the state, fair on 37 percent and good to excellent on 56 percent.
North Dakota
Temperatures were 9 to 12 degrees less than long-term averages for the week. Rain and up to 5 inches of snow in the east helped hamper planting. Topsoil moisture is now adequate to surplus in 93 percent of the state.
Winter wheat conditions are 73 percent good to excellent, with 8 percent reaching the jointed stage.
Spring wheat is 18 percent planted, behind the 33 percent five-year average, with 2 percent emerged compared to a 9 percent average. Barley is 13 percent planted, compared to the 28 percent average, with 1 percent emerged. Oats were 21 percent planted, compared to a 29 percent average.
Farmers had planted 31 percent of their expected sugar beet acres, compared to a 51 percent average. About 2 percent of the potatoes are planted, compared to an 11 percent five-year average. Dry edible beans are 23 percent planted, compared to 24 percent average, with only 1 percent emerged.
Cattle and calf conditions were rated 82 percent good to excellent, with calving death losses rated average to light in 87 percent of the state, with 79 percent of the calving complete. Similarly, sheep were rated 76 percent good to excellent, with lamb death losses rated average to light in 96 percent of of the state. Lambing was 88 percent complete and shearing was 81 percent complete.
South Dakota
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Rain and snow were prevalent across the southeast and east central parts of the state. Topsoil is now 88 percent adequate to surplus.
Winter wheat was rated 54 percent good to excellent, with 18 percent jointed. Spring was 84 percent planted, ahead of the 68 percent average for the past five years. About 49 percent was emerged, which is higher than the 35 percent average. Oats were 84 percent planted compared to 72 percent average, with 50 percent emerged compared to the 39 percent average. Barley is 66 percent planted, ahead of the 52 percent average.
Corn is 7 percent planted, compared to 20 percent average. Soybeans were 2 percent planted, about equal to average.
Cattle and calf conditions are 84 percent good to excellent, with calving 83 percent complete. Cattle and calf death loss was rated 73 percent average and 26 percent light.
Montana
High temperatures around the state ranged from the upper 40s to 70 degrees and lows were from 17 degrees at Sidney to the upper 30s. Joliet topped the state with 2.43 inches of rainfall. Topsoil moisture is rated 92 percent adequate to surplus and subsoil is rated 89 percent adequate to surplus.
Winter wheat is 1 percent in the boot stage. About 63 percent is good to excellent conditions, which is about average for the date.
Barley is 36 percent planted, compared to a 57 percent average, with 13 percent emerged, which is about average. Spring wheat is 33 percent planted, compared to 47 percent average, with 6 percent emerged. Oats are 23 percent planted, compared to 38 percent average. Durum is 20 percent planted compared to 26 percent average.
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Canola is 14 percent planted, compared to 36 percent average. Flaxseed is 11 percent planted compared to a 27 percent average. Safflower is 3 percent planted compared to a 17 percent average.
Corn is 6 percent planted compared to 15 percent for the date. Dry edible beans are 12 percent planted compared to a 21 percent average. Sugar beets are 34 percent planted compared to a 49 percent average for this date. Lentils are 28 percent planted compared to a 37 percent average.
Calving is 88 percent complete, which is about average, with only 14 percent moved to summer ranges, compared to 20 percent average. Lambing is 86 percent complete compared to a 76 percent average.
