Spring plant on track for Minn. farmers

Minnesota farmers are making good progress on spring planting.

The latest crop report says through last Sunday farmers had planted 56 percent of their spring wheat. One year ago none of the crop was in the ground. The average for this time of year is about 6 percent planted.

Other crops are also well ahead of normal; 77 percent of the oats are in, compared to an average of 14 percent. The pace for the state's $7 billion corn crop is a little slower — just 7 percent is planted compared to a 2 percent average.

Beneficial rains fell across most of Minnesota last week, including more than 3 inches at Pipestone. The rains improved dry conditions, with topsoil moisture now rated adequate on half the state's farmland, compared to a third a week ago. Still, most of the state remains in a drought.