(ND Ag Connection) – By Scout Nelson
Farmers across North Dakota are making strong progress with spring planting. According to the USDA’s latest crop report, 3.6 days were suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 18, 2025. Thanks to timely field access and fair weather, most crops are ahead of both last year’s pace and the five-year average.
Topsoil moisture is rated 70% adequate and 12% surplus, with only 2% very short. Subsoil moisture is also in good shape, with 67% adequate and just 4% very short.
Soybean planting is 46% complete, well ahead of the five-year average of 23%. About 7% of the crop has already emerged. Spring wheat is 78% planted, with 39% emerging. Durum wheat is also seeing progress, with 69% planted and 32% emerged.
Corn planting is 69% complete, with 25% of the crop already out of the ground. Sugarbeets are 100% planted, compared to just 71% for the five-year average. Canola planting stands at 40%, while sunflower planting is at 19%.
Oats and barley are moving along steadily. Oats are 71% planted and 34% emerged, with barley at 62% planted and 28% emerged. Oats condition is mostly rated fair to good.
Dry edible peas are 67% planted and 26% emerged. Flaxseed is 34% planted, while potatoes are at 50% planted. Dry edible beans are showing the fastest gains, with 34% planted compared to just 11% on average.
Pasture and range conditions are mostly fair to good, supporting livestock. Stock water supplies are adequate in most areas.
