Another week of cold, wintry conditions limited Minnesota farmers to just 0.1 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending April 17th, according to the USDA.
Oats planted was reported at 1%, below the five year average of 11% for this time of year and well below last year’s 28%. All other crops remained at 0% planted.
Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 2% very short, 9% short, 68% adequate and 21% surplus.
In Iowa, snow, high winds and continued cold conditions limited farmers to 2.8 days suitable for fieldwork last week.
The USDA says farmers have been applying anhydrous and fertilizer, spreading manure, tilling fields and planting oats where possible while preparing to plant row crops. Twenty nine percent of the expect oat crop has been planted, 8 days behind last year and 3 days behind the 5 year average. Oats are beginning to emerge across the state.
Topsoil moisture condition was rated 7% very short, 22% short, 66% adequate and 5% surplus.