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Minnesota corn, soybean crops going opposite ways

USDA data suggests the condition of Minnesota’s corn and soybean crops are going opposite directions.

The latest progress report says while 80 percent of the state’s corn acreage is considered good to excellent—a weekly improvement of two points—soybeans in that category slipped four points to 72 percent.

Minnesota remains a national leader in crop condition, with national averages several points lower for both corn and soybeans.

Adam Spelhaug, an agronomist with Peterson Farms Seed, says crop development throughout the state is behind.

“This next month, development is really going to set the stage for where we’re at when we start tasseling.  If we can push this crop and start tasseling in the northern half of Minnesota and North Dakota, if we’re tasseling by (July) 15th to 17th, we’re sitting pretty good.”

The crop progress report shows only nine percent of Minnesota’s soybean acreage is at or beyond the blooming stage, compared to the five-year average of 15 percent.