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Drought not affecting Minnesota small grains

Drought in parts of the Upper Midwest doesn’t seem to be affecting the small grains crop in Minnesota.

In its latest Crop Progress report, the USDA says 86 percent of spring wheat acres in the state are rated in good to excellent condition.

Neighboring South Dakota, which has had disaster declarations because of dryness, has just 11 percent of its spring wheat acreage listed as good to excellent.

The Minnesota oat crop is rated 83 percent good to excellent, and 85 percent of the barley acreage is either good or excellent.

Most small grains were at or beyond the jointing stage going into this week.