Solid Bean Seeding Progress

WASHINGTON - Jun 5/18 - SNS -- Seeding of this year's dry edible bean crop is making better than normal progress in the United States as farmers take advantage of relatively dry conditions and reason able soil moisture conditions.

State level progress reports issued by the USDA suggest 73% of the crop has been planted, up from 70% at this time last year and the recent five year average of 61% sown by the first week of June.

Topsoil moisture conditions in North Dakota, the most important producing region, were rated as 6% surplus, 63% adequate, 25% short and 6% very short. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 11% very short, 32% short, 55% adequate, and 2% surplus. Beans are emerging in state, with 26% now out of the ground, compared to 32% last year and the recent average of 25%.

Moisture conditions in Minnesota are also good, with topsoil rated 10% surplus, 80% adequate, 9% short and 1% very short. Subsoil moisture in the state is rated 1% very short, 8% short, 81% adequate and 10% surplus. Of the state's bean crops, 26% are now out of the ground, compared to 32% last year and the recent average of 25%.

Seeding is now underway in Michigan, as dry conditions in the northern part of the state allowed producers to make good planting progress. Warm temperatures promoted crop development. In mid-Michigan, rains kept soils damp and caused crop moisture stress in some areas. In southern Michigan, heavy precipitation limited planting activities in some areas. In other areas tractors were visible in every direction making planting progress.