Producers continued to make significant progress on field work and plantings during the past week, according to the Minnesota Field Office of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. As of May 18, spring wheat, sugarbeet, and potato plantings neared or surpassed the 5-year average, while corn and soybean plantings advanced rapidly. Statewide, on average, there were 4.2 days suitable for fieldwork during the week.

The average temperature for the week was 53.0 degrees, 3.2 degrees below normal. Statewide topsoil moisture supplies as of Friday were rated 0 percent very short, 3 short, 78 adequate, and 19 surplus.

Field Crops Summary
As of Sunday, May 18, land prepared for corn planting was 80 percent complete compared to 97 percent last year and 96 percent for the 5-year average. Corn planted was 67 percent complete compared to 95 percent last year and 92 percent average. Corn was 3 percent emerged compared to 71 percent last year and 46 percent average.

Land prepared for soybean planting was 37 percent complete compared to 84 percent last year and 70 percent average. Soybeans were 25 percent planted compared to 74 percent last year and 52 percent average.

Spring wheat was 91 percent planted compared to 97 percent last year and 92 percent average. Thirty-nine percent of spring wheat was emerged compared to 74 percent last year and 63 percent average. Oats were 84 percent planted compared to 96 percent last year and 95 percent average. Potatoes were 82 percent planted compared to 87 percent last year and 81 percent average. Ninety-three percent of sugarbeets were planted compared to 99 percent last year and 95 percent average.

Days Suitable for Fieldwork Table
Days Suitable for Fieldwork: 4.2

Soil Moisture Table
Very Short Short Adequate Surplus
Topsoil Moisture (%) 0 3 78 19

Crop Progress Table
Crop Progress as of May 18, 2008
Stage of This Last Last 5 Yr
Crop Development Week Week Year Avg
Percent
Corn Land Prepared 80 45 97 96
Planted 67 32 95 92
Emerged 3 0 71 46
Soybeans Land Prepared 37 9 84 70
Planted 25 3 74 52
Emerged 0 0 20 8
Spring Wheat Planted 91 67 97 92
Emerged 39 9 74 63
Oats Planted 84 65 96 95
Emerged 40 16 80 76
Barley Planted 84 65 97 90
Emerged 24 6 72 57
Sugarbeets Planted 93 72 99 95
Potatoes Planted 82 51 87 81
Sweet Corn Planted 19 6 45 36
Green Peas Planted 53 34 83 73
Dry Beans Planted 30 2 39 30
Canola Planted 34 12 91 61
Sunflowers Planted 39 8 70 37

Crop Condition Table
Crop Condition as of May 16, 2008 in %
Very Poor Poor Fair Good Exc
Pasture 1 11 30 46 12
Alfalfa 2 10 27 49 12

Weather Information Table
Precipitation and Temperature Summary for 5/12/2008 through 5/18/2008

Temperature Precipitation G D D
High Low Week Depart Week Depart From Norm Since Depart
Ave from Total Past Four Since May from
Norm Week Weeks 4/1 14 Norm

CENT DIST 5
Becker 81 37 54.6 -1.9 .35 -.41 2.38 2.75 46 -3
Collegeville 81 38 56.4 -2.6 .17 -.60 1.34 1.78 55 -2
Hutchinson 81 37 56.4 -2.2 .18 -.49 1.68 2.16 53 -3
Olivia 79 34 53.4 -4.7 .32 -.34 1.66 2.04 50 -5
St. Cloud 81 36 54.0 -2.5 .10 -.53 1.79 1.42 53 4
Staples 78 33 51.0 -3.9 .13 -.53 -.08 .72 39 -5
Willmar 80 37 54.3 -3.6 .25 -.43 2.01 2.22 46 -8