Farmers in Minnesota have brought out the tractors a bit early this year, as the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports a large portion of this year's crops have already been planted.
Due to the nice weather, Minnesota farmers are getting a head start compared to previous years, according to the news source. Wheat growers had already planted 93 percent of their crop by April 29th, far ahead of the five-year-average of 28 percent at that point. Last year, heavy rains delayed the crop planting to the point that just 2 percent of the crop was in the ground.
"People just took advantage of the nice weather to plant their crop," Dave Torgerson, executive director of the Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers, told the news source.
Wheat wasn't the only crop that's been planted early. Approximately 48 percent of the state's corn crop is in the ground, up from 1 percent last year and a five-year average of 31 percent. Oat crops are already 87 percent complete.
Minnesota is the largest supplier of sugar beets in the country, and this crop isn't falling behind either. Farmers reported a 93 percent completion rate for beet planting, which was also well ahead of previous years. The remaining crops will likely be planted within the coming weeks.
No matter what part of the country you live in or what the weather's like, having agricultural equipment on hand can help the planting process go much easier. The online auction site IronPlanet offers a wide range of tractors, sprayers and much more, often at more affordable prices than buying new. The site's IronClad Assurance policy allows interested buyers to view full inspection reports before they bid, ensuring they know exactly what they're getting.
