Warmer and drier weather allowed Minnesota farmers to pick up the planting pace last week.

USDA’s latest crop progress report says nine percent of corn is planted, compared to nearly 50 percent a year ago and the five-year average of 81 percent.

Two percent of soybeans are planted, well off last year’s pace of 59 percent and 25 percent normally.

Mike Landuyt of Walnut Grove in southwest Minnesota tells Brownfield he has about 20 percent of his corn planted and no soybeans.

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