Extreme drought conditions in North Dakota increased seven percent this past week. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor puts 82 percent of the state in that category. The remaining 18 percent is experiencing some form of dryness. The majority of Minnesota has sufficient moisture, with far southern and northwestern areas either abnormally dry or in moderate drought. Compared to last week, there was a 10 percent increase in moderate and abnormally dry conditions. The exception comes in Kittson County where there is severe drought.
Check out the Drought Monitor.
North Dakota’s Living Ag in the Classroom event didn’t go as planned due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, with the quick thinking of the committee, commodity groups created videos to share with elementary school-aged students throughout the state. Watch the Northarvest Bean Growers Association video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7p-deaAVH-4.
In North Dakota, USDA’s National Ag Statistics Service there were 4.6 days suitable for field work last week. Topsoil moisture supplies declined 2% to 80% very short-to-short, and subsoil moisture is pinned at 78% very short-to-short. 22% of spring wheat is seeded, ahead of 10% average, with 2% emerged. Corn plantings are unchanged at 3%, and canola seeding is just beginning at 1%. The planting progress for sugarbeets is 15% complete, 14% for barley, 8% for dry edible peas and 4% for potatoes.
Farmers found 3.8 days suitable for fieldwork in Minnesota. Spring wheat seeding is one week ahead of last year’s pace at 19% complete. That’s an increase of 9% from last week. Corn planting is 18% complete, behind 34% last year but equal to average. 42% percent of oats, 28% of sugarbeets and 12% of barley and potatoes are in the ground. Topsoil moisture is 75% adequate-to-surplus, and subsoil moisture is rated at 71% adequate-to-surplus.
Dry edible bean planting has begun in western growing regions. Idaho is 14% planted, Washington is at 60% and Montana is at 5%.
Get the latest Crop Progress Report.
While dry bean planting is still a few weeks away, the cool and dry soil conditions continue to be a concern for farmers in North Dakota and Minnesota. Hear more in the latest Dry Bean Scene on the Red River Farm Network, made possible by the Northarvest Bean Growers Association.
