Minnesota farmers planting soybeans at near-record pace

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota farmers are planting soybeans at a near-record pace.

Despite only four days suitable for fieldwork, the USDA said over one-third of Minnesota’s soybean acreage was planted during week ending Sunday. That ties for the most planted in this week in 30 years.

Soybean planting is 70 percent complete, the most planed by this date in 30 years.

Minnesota’s corn planting is nearly complete, and 39 percent of the corn crop has emerged, the second most in 30 years.

Small grain seeding also is nearly complete. The barley crop is 78 percent emerged, well ahead of last year – when none of the crop had emerged by now – and just over three weeks ahead of the five-year average.

Oats and spring wheat progress also is ahead of last year.