Cool weather and late April rain and snow slowed spring fieldwork across the state, according to the Minnesota Field Office of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. As of April 27, land preparation and plantings for all crops were about two weeks behind the 5-year average for that date.

The average temperature for the week was 45.4 degrees, 1.9 degrees below normal. Statewide topsoil moisture supplies as of Friday were rated 0 percent very short, 3 short, 60 adequate, and 37 surplus.

As of Sunday, April 27, land prepared for corn was 3 percent complete compared to 29 percent last year and 41 percent for the 5-year average.
Land prepared for soybeans was 1 percent complete compared to 5 percent last year and 10 percent average.

Field Crops Summary
Spring wheat was 6 percent planted compared to 15 percent last year and
33 percent average. Oats were 9 percent planted compared to 30 percent last year and 49 percent average. Ten percent of sugarbeets were planted compared to 27 percent last year and 42 percent average.

April Snows Slow Fieldwork Progress

Days Suitable for Fieldwork Table
Days Suitable for Fieldwork: 1.6

Soil Moisture Table
Very Short Short Adequate Surplus
Topsoil Moisture (%) 0 3 60 37

Crop Progress Table
Crop Progress as of April 27, 2008
Stage of This Last Last 5 Yr
Crop Development Week Week Year Avg
Percent
Corn Land Prepared 3 2 29 41
Corn Planted 1 0 20 27
Soybeans Land Prepared 1 1 5 10
Soybeans Planted 0 0 1 1
Spring Wheat Planted 6 2 15 33
Oats Planted 9 2 30 49
Barley Planted 2 0 15 26
Sugarbeets Planted 10 1 27 42
Potatoes Planted 7 1 15 31
Green Peas Planted 4 1 30 28

Weather Information Table
Precipitation and Temperature Summary for 4/21/2008 through 4/27/2008

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

CENT DIST 5
Becker 76 28 48.2 .4 2.49 1.87 2.17 2.24 M M
Collegeville 75 26 45.8 -4.2 2.23 1.69 2.51 2.13 M M
Hutchinson 77 28 49.8 .3 1.75 1.21 1.63 1.70 M M
Olivia 76 25 46.7 -1.8 2.06 1.48 1.79 1.86 M M
St. Cloud 75 26 45.3 -2.5 1.93 1.41 1.20 1.04 M M
Staples 72 19 45.0 -1.3 .87 .38 1.12 1.18 M M
Willmar 75 27 47.4 -1.1 1.77 1.24 1.39 1.45 M M