Warm, dry weekend allows planting to proceed across state

Warm, dry conditions throughout the weekend allowed planting to proceed throughout Minnesota.

The Minnesota Agricultural Statistics Service said severe storms last Wednesday throughout the east-central and southeastern portions of the state delayed planting in several areas. Rice, Steele and Goodhue counties sustained substantial crop damage.

Despite the recent favorable weather, planting is still lagging behind the pace of past years.

Corn is only 29 percent planted, compared to 96 percent a year ago and 81 percent for the 5-year average. Corn emergence is 7 percent, compared to 72 percent last year.