Planting is running well ahead of last year in North Dakota, but rain in needed in many areas to ensure good germination, according to the latest Crop Progress Report from the National Agricultural Statistics Service.

In South Dakota, planting is a generally little behind last year but crops and pastures are mostly in good condition.

Planting is close to wrapped up in North Dakota and South Dakota.

North Dakota
For the week ending May 22, dry conditions allowed significant planting progress to be made, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Much of the eastern half of the State received rain Sunday night, with many areas receiving an inch. The western half received little to no rain and moisture is needed soon to ensure good germination. Pastures in the western half of the State were also showing signs of stress due to the lack of moisture. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 4% very short, 29 short, 65 adequate, and 2 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 2% very short, 27 short, 70 adequate, and 1 surplus.

Winter wheat condition rated 1% very poor, 3 poor, 27 fair, 61 good, and 8 excellent. Winter wheat jointed was 70%, ahead of 51 last year. Headed was 3%, ahead of 0 last year.

Durum wheat planted was 83%, equal to last year, but well ahead of 51 for the five-year average. Emerged was 67%, well ahead of 39 last year and 27 average. Jointed was 2%.

Spring wheat condition rated 0% very poor, 2 poor, 18 fair, 76 good, and 4 excellent. Spring wheat planted was 94%, near 92 last year, but well ahead of 65 average. Emerged was 75%, ahead of 66 last year, and well ahead of 40 average. Jointed was 3%, near 1 last year.

Barley condition rated 0% very poor, 2 poor, 19 fair, 70 good, and 9 excellent. Barley planted was 94%, equal to last year, but well ahead of 59 average. Emerged was 74%, ahead of 67 last year, and well ahead of 35 average. Jointed was 1%, equal to last year.

Oats condition rated 2% very poor, 2 poor, 18 fair, 75 good, and 3 excellent. Oats planted was 92%, near 91 last year, but well ahead of 64 average. Emerged was 71%, ahead of 54 last year, and well ahead of 38 average. Jointed was 4%.

Corn planted was 91%, ahead of 79 last year, and well ahead of 67 average. Emerged was 49%, ahead of 32 last year, and well ahead of 26 average.

Soybeans planted was 81%, well ahead of 48 last year and 38 average. Emerged was 21%, ahead of 13 last year and 8 average.

Canola planted was 86%, ahead of 81 last year, and well ahead of 52 average. Emerged was 51%, ahead of 41 last year, and well ahead of 25 average. Sunflowers planted was 46%, well ahead of 25 last year and 18 average. Emerged was 3%.

Flaxseed planted was 75%, ahead of 63 last year, and well ahead of 36 average. Emerged was 40%, well ahead of 9 last year.

Dry peas planted was 94%, near 96 last year, but well ahead of 65 average. Emerged was 82%, ahead of 63 last year, and well ahead of 30 average.

Dry edible beans planted was 60%, well ahead of 26 last year and 22 average. Emerged was 6%.

Potatoes planted was 87%, well ahead of 64 last year and 42 average. Emerged was 21%, ahead of 8 last year and 7 average.

Livestock, Pasture and Range Report: Pasture and range conditions rated 1% very poor, 4 poor, 31 fair, 58 good, and 6 excellent.

Stock water supplies rated 1% very short, 10 short, 86 adequate, and 3 surplus.

South Dakota
For the week ending May 22, 2016, near normal temperatures prevailed across the South Dakota. However, some northern areas experienced freezing temperatures. A half inch of rainfall was recorded across the eastern half of the State, with two inches or more in some south central counties. Considerable progress was made planting corn and soybeans. Producers were moving cattle to pasture and some were taking their first cutting of alfalfa. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 0% very short, 8 short, 86 adequate, and 6 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 1% very short, 9 short, 86 adequate, and 4 surplus.

Winter wheat condition rated 0% very poor, 1 poor, 22 fair, 71 good, and 6 excellent. Winter wheat jointed was at 82%, well ahead of 60 last year. Headed was at 22%, near 18 last year, but ahead of 14 for the five-year average.

Corn planted was at 84%, near 89 last year, and equal to the average. Emerged was at 42%, behind 57 last year, but equal to the average.

Spring wheat condition rated 0% very poor, 1 poor, 28 fair, 66 good, and 5 excellent. Spring wheat emerged was at 92%, ahead of 83 last year, and well ahead of 70 average. Jointed was at 18%.

Soybeans planted was at 56%, near 55 last year, and ahead of 47 average. Emerged was at 13%, behind 18 last year, but equal to the average.

Oats condition rated 0% very poor, 0 poor, 21 fair, 74 good, and 5 excellent. Oats emerged was at 95%, ahead of 89 last year, and well ahead of 74 average. Jointed was at 22%, well behind 60 last year. Headed was at 2%, near 0 last year and 1 average.

Barley condition rated 0% very poor, 0 poor, 30 fair, 55 good, and 15 excellent. Barley planted was at 96%, near 98 last year, but ahead of 84 average. Emerged was at 74%, behind 86 last year, but well ahead of 54 average.

Sorghum planted was at 36%, ahead of 24 last year and 17 average.

Sunflowers planted was at 14%, ahead of 3 last year and 5 average.

Alfalfa hay first cutting was at 11% complete.

Pasture and range conditions rated 0% very poor, 2 poor, 18 fair, 69 good, and 11 excellent.

Stock water supplies rated 0% very short, 8 short, 85 adequate, and 7 surplus.

Data for these reports were provided at the county level by USDA Farm Service Agency, SDSU Extension Service and other reporters across the State.

For more information
National Crop Progress and Condition tables --http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/nass/CropProg/2010s/2016/CropProg-05-23-2016.pdf

High Plains Region Climate Center for Temperature and Precipitation Maps -- http://www.hprcc.unl.edu/maps.php?map=ACISClimateMaps

U.S. Drought Monitor -- http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/Home/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?ND

Source: NASS