Cool temperatures and wet soils continued to limit spring fieldwork across much of the state, according to the Minnesota Field Office of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Statewide, on average, there were 1.8 days suitable for fieldwork during the week. As of May 4, land preparation and plantings for corn and soybeans remained well behind the 5-year average for that date.

The average temperature for the week was 43.1 degrees, 7.4 degrees below normal. Statewide topsoil moisture supplies as of Friday were rated 0 percent very short, 1 short, 67 adequate, and 32 surplus.

Field Crops Summary
As of Sunday, May 4, land prepared for corn planting was 17 percent complete compared to 69 percent last year and 78 percent for the 5-year average. Land prepared for soybean planting was 4 percent complete compared to 22 percent last year and 28 percent average.

Spring wheat was 19 percent planted compared to 61 percent last year and 64 percent average. Oats were 28 percent planted compared to 65 percent last year and 75 percent average. Thirty-two percent of sugarbeets were planted compared to 66 percent last year and 75 percent average.

Pasture conditions were rated 36 percent fair, 37 percent good, and 4 percent excellent. Alfalfa conditions were rated 32 percent fair, 42 percent good, and 11 percent excellent.

Days Suitable for Fieldwork Table
Days Suitable for Fieldwork: 1.8

Soil Moisture Table
Very Short Short Adequate Surplus
Topsoil Moisture (%) 0 1 67 32

Crop Progress Table
Crop Progress as of May 4, 2008
Stage of This Last Last 5 Yr
Crop Development Week Week Year Avg
Percent
Corn Land Prepared 17 3 69 78
Corn Planted 8 1 58 65
Corn Emerged 0 0 4 3
Soybeans Land Prepared 4 1 22 28
Soybeans Planted 0 0 11 11
Spring Wheat Planted 19 6 61 64
Spring Wheat Emerged 0 0 9 18
Oats Planted 28 9 65 75
Oats Emerged 2 0 18 33
Barley Planted 9 2 48 55
Barley Emerged 0 0 7 14
Sugarbeets Planted 32 10 66 75
Potatoes Planted 17 7 46 55
Sweet Corn Planted 2 0 14 13
Green Peas Planted 16 4 52 49
Dry Beans Planted 0 0 1 4
Canola Planted 10 0 13 16
Sunflowers Planted 2 0 4 4

Crop Condition Table
Crop Condition as of May 2, 2008 in %
Very Poor Poor Fair Good Exc
Pasture 6 17 36 37 4
Alfalfa 3 12 32 42 11

Weather Information Table
Precipitation and Temperature Summary for 4/28/2008 through 5/4/2008

Temperature Precipitation
High Low Week Depart Week Depart From Norm
Ave from Total Past Four Since
Norm Week Weeks

CENT DIST 5
Becker 66 26 43.8 -7.1 .86 .20 2.45 2.44
Collegeville M M M M M M 1.74m 1.53m
Hutchinson 66 27 44.3 -8.4 1.30 .74 2.41 2.44
Olivia 69 24 42.8 -9.1 .59 .00 2.03 1.86
St. Cloud 68 24 45.4 -5.5 .87 .34 1.61 1.37
Staples 60 21 40.3 -9.1 .30 -.23 .28 .95
Willmar 66 27 43.2 -8.7 .62 .07 1.41 1.52

m=some data missing