North Dakota farmers catch up on corn, soybean planting

FARGO, N.D. (AP) - North Dakota farmers are taking advantage of good weather to catch up on spring planning.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says there were 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Sunday.

Soybean planting was 72 percent, behind last year’s pace of 79 percent but ahead of the five-year average of 61 percent. Twenty percent of soybeans had emerged, near last year’s 24 percent and on par with average.

Farmers had planted 87 percent of the corn crop, which is behind last year’s 92 percent but near the 84 percent average. Of the planted corn, 34 percent had emerged, well behind 62 percent last year and behind the 46 percent average.

Pasture and range conditions in North Dakota are rated 27 percent poor or very poor.