It’s been a late spring for many across the Northern Plains, but the recent warmer weather temperatures have helped. Karlstad, Minnesota farmer Justin Dagen made spring wheat and sugarbeet planting progress before Memorial Day. “The subsoil had a lot of moisture in it, but overall, it’s a good seed bed for everything that’s gone in the ground.” Dagen also said potato planting is in full swing in the Red River Valley. From Crookston to Red Lake Falls, Minnesota, most of the spring wheat seeding is complete. According to Crookston farmer Tim Dufault, many farmers are planting soybeans. “Growers are trying to take advantage of the decent conditions.” Grand Forks, North Dakota farmer Paul Sproule got some sugarbeets and corn seeded. “We’ll be cutting back on corn acres a little.” Sproule still needs to harvest corn, but says that won’t get done until June. Near Britton, South Dakota, farmer DuWayne Bosse says planting has been a struggle. “In northeast South Dakota, it’s still really tough. We can’t get much done here and there may be some corn prevent plant.” Listen to this week’s Crop Watch segement.
