Bean Seeding Slower Than 2008

WASHINGTON - Jun 3/09 - SNS -- Seeding of this year's dry edible bean crops is progressing at a generally slower rate than last year in the United States, though excellent progress has been reported planting dry edible bean and chickpea crops in Washington state.

Seeding of this year's field pea crop has also been advancing at a good pace, though progress is slightly behind last year. Pea crops are emerging in both North Dakota and in Washington state, but also lagging last year.

Crop reporters in Michigan note "average temperatures in the state ranged from 7 degrees below normal in the northwest and northeast Lower Peninsula to 1 degree below normal in the southwest, south central and southeast Lower Peninsula.

"Farmers continued to work around wet spots as favorable weather conditions early in the week gave farmers the opportunity to get a majority of the crops planted before the precipitation returned. . . . Cooler temperatures have slowed crop emergence."

Minnesota remains dry in central and southern portions of the state, while early week rains in the northwest halted fieldwork for a number of producers. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 19% very short, 31% short, 42% adequate and 8% surplus across the state.

In North Dakota, rain in the central and eastern regions early last week slowed field activity for a few days, but overall, producers were able to make steady planting progress. Observers commented that producers worked around areas that were oversaturated with moisture and continued planting small grains and other crops.

Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 3% very short, 8% short, 69% adequate and 20% surplus, compared with the five-year (2004-2008) average of 5% very short, 17% short, 66% adequate and 12% surplus.

Temperatures were normal in Colorado, but the state received too much rainfall during the last week, slowing seeding progress.

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