ND Gearing Up For Spring Fieldwork

North Dakota farmers are gearing up for spring fieldwork, with most expecting to start around April 24, according to the USDA’s latest crop progress report. Last week saw 3.9 days suitable for fieldwork, with topsoil moisture rated 52 percent adequate and subsoil at 46 percent adequate. Spring wheat planting reached 10 percent, ahead of the five-year average of 5 percent. Sugarbeets were at 3 percent, behind 15 percent last year, but near the average of 5 percent. Other crop progress includes oats at 9 percent, barley at 5 percent, canola at 2 percent, dry edible peas at 7 percent, and potatoes at 1 percent. Winter wheat condition was rated 45 percent fair. Calving progress stood at 63 percent, near average.