The weekly planting report from the most recent USDA National Agricultural Statistics report (dated April 30 and May 1 and for the week ending April 30) shows sugarbeet planting has picked up speed over the past week and fields have dried out and weather warmed.
Going west to east across the United States here’s what the report states:
Washington – No report was given.
Oregon - 99 percent of the beets have been planted, up from 90 percent the week prior. That’s a shade above the 97 percent that have been planted a year ago at the same time.
California – Growers in California plant in the fall and harvest the following year. Growers there planted 18,000 acres last fall.
Idaho - The state’s sugarbeet growers have gained some impressive ground this week as 71 percent of the beets have been planted, up from 53 percent the week before. Last year at this point, 84 percent of the crop was in. The five-year average for this time of year is 88 percent.
Wyoming - Wyoming growers also made impressive gains this past week. The NASS reports 28 of the beet crop is now planted, compared to just 3 percent the week prior. A year ago at this time 46 percent had been planted. The five-year average for this time of year is 44 percent.
Montana - 7 percent of the sugarbeet crop has been planted, up from 0 percent the week before. A year ago that percentage was 1 percent while the five-year average is 21 percent.
Colorado – Colorado growers are gaining ground with their planting with 13 percent of the sugarbeet crop now in, up from 11 percent the week before. A year ago, 16 percent of the beet crop was in. The five-year average is 39 percent.
Nebraska – No report was given.
North Dakota – According to the NASS, no planting had taken place by the end of last week. The five-year average is 19 percent.
Minnesota – Minnesota again mirrors its neighbor as reports show no beets have been planted as of the report. A year ago at this time that number was 1 percent. The five-year average is 25 percent.
Michigan – 76 percent of the beet crop has been planted, up from 49 percent a week ago. A year ago, 14 percent of the crop was in while the five-year average is 45 percent.