(Undated)– Area farmers are taking advantage of ideal spring weather to get the crops in the ground. Paul Kassel, a crops specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Clay county says a lot of corn is being planted right now…
“I think it varies some. I’m going to say probably around 25 percent. In some areas probably 90 percent, you know. In some of those areas they got going a little bit there before Easter even. And in some areas people are just getting going, so maybe 25 percent overall, that kind of thing on the corn. And a few soybeans. There’s a few soybeans planted early, so maybe five percent of the soybean crop. So yeah, we’ve got a real good start.”
Kassel says the progress is far ahead over the past couple of years at this same time…
“Yeah, I think two years ago we had a blizzard on April 15th and more snow on the 18th or something, so we’re way ahead of that. And last year was no walk in the park, either. So yeah, it’s nice to see this dry weather and even a nice half inch of rain wouldn’t hurt anything, kind of settle the dust and get things going. But yeah, it’s a real nice break from the last couple of years like you say.”
A lot of field work and planting is also underway in southwest Minnesota. Jim Nesseth of Extended Ag Services in Lakefield says some good progress is being made there as well…
“They’re not wasting any time. They’re going after it. They’re out there. A lot of corn being planted now and fertilizer being applied and a lot of tillage being done. I, you know Steve, it’s just incredible how much progress can be made in terms of planting corn. I think if 10 to 15 percent of our total acres can be planted in a day it’s just amazing. We even have a couple of guys that are looking at finishing up in the next day or two, so it’s just really something. It’s really going to set things up I think hopefully for a really good growing season with these early planting dates.”
Kassel and Nesseth both say soil temperatures right now are also ideal.
