Minnesota crops: Fastest start in 30 years

It's been a fast start to spring in Minnesota. I can't remember a nicer spring, a year with more mild sunny days. Apparently I'm not imagining things.

Most Minnesota crops are off the the fastest start in 30 years.

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MN Crop report USDA

Monday's Minnesota crop report has some eye-opening numbers. Crop planting and emergence is way ahead of the five-year averages, and miles ahead of last year's monsoonal spring planting season.

More details on Minnesota's fast start to the growing season from the United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service.

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With Minnesota’s corn planting nearing completion, 39 percent of the corn crop had emerged, the second most in 30 years. Over one-third of the soybean acreage was planted during the week ending May 10, tied for the most planted in this week in 30 years.

Soybean planting now stands at 70 percent complete, the most planted by this date in 30 years. Small grain seeding was almost complete.

Barley was 78 percent emerged, well ahead of last year when none of the crop had emerged by this date and just over 3 weeks ahead of the five-year average.

Seventy-seven percent of the oat acreage had emerged, just over 3 weeks ahead of last year. Potato, sunflower, and dry edible bean planting now stand at the highest percent planted for week ending May 10 in 30 years.

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USDA

Soaking rains have also improved soil moisture in the past week.

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USDA

It was another warm week, with significant rainfall even before Sunday's soaker.

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Midwest Region Climate Center

Warm spring of 2015

Temperatures this spring have been running warmer than average. Here's a look at the monthly average temperature departure so far this meteorological spring in the Twin Cities.

  • March: +2.7 degrees

  • April: +2.2 degrees

  • May: +5.7 degrees (through May 10)

The warm start to spring has helped boost soil temperatures. Soil temperatures in the 50s and 60s have been common in Waseca, Minn., south of the metro.

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University of Minnesota

The long-range forecast favors a wetter than average pattern in the next two weeks.

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NOAA

I see a couple more soakers on the maps, and some heavier multi-inch rainfall totals may be on the horizon.  The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Global Forecast System model cranks out 3 inches-plus rainfall totals in the next 16 days.

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NOAA via IPS Meteostar

Too early to open the spillway a little on the Gray's Bay Dam on Lake Minnetonka?

Stay tuned.