Still on track: Planting progress proceeds

Upper Midwest farmers continued to make good planting progress overall in the week ending May 28, according to the weekly planting progress report released Tuesday by the National Agricultural Statistics Service, an arm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Generally favorable planting conditions helped. In Montana, 6.1 days in the seven-day period were deemed "suitable for fieldwork." North Dakota farmers weren't far behind, with 5.8 days meeting that description in the state. South Dakota producers had 4.9 days falling in that category. Minnesota farmers were less fortunate, with 2.8 days suitable for fieldwork.

The planting rates for corn, wheat and soybeans, the region's three major crops, are all near or above their five-year averages. Here's a crop-by-crop look.

Corn

North Dakota - 94 percent planted on May 28, up from 82 percent a week earlier and the five-year average of 86 percent.

South Dakota - 95 percent planted on May 28, up from 88 percent a week earlier and the five-year average of 94 percent.

Minnesota - 96 percent planted on May 28, up from 94 percent a week earlier and the five-year average of 93 percent.

Soybeans

South Dakota - 72 percent planted on May 28, up from 56 percent a week earlier and the five-year average of 70 percent.

Minnesota - 81 percent in the ground on May 28, up from 72 percent a week earlier and the five-year average of 77 percent.

North Dakota - 83 percent planted on May 28, up from 57 percent a week earlier and the five-year average of 67 percent.

Spring wheat

Montana - 93 percent planted on May 28, up from 86 percent a week earlier but down from the five-year average of 95 percent. Wet conditions early this spring slowed wheat planting in the state, though farmers there have nearly caught up now.

Minnesota - 100 percent in the ground on May 28, up from 99 percent a week earlier and the five-year average of 92 percent.

North Dakota - 96 percent planted on May 28, up from 88 percent a week earlier and the five-year average of 85 percent.

South Dakota - 100 percent planted on May 28, up from 99 percent a week earlier and the five-year average of 98 percent.

Planting progress for oats, barley and sunflowers in the Upper Midwest also are are near or above their respective five-year average, NASS reports.