Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton is providing some much needed relief for Minnesota farmers behind in planting.
Governor Dayton has signed an Emergency Executive Order 18-07, to deliver emergency relief from regulations incorporated in Minnesota Statutes, section 221.0314, subdivision 9, pertaining to hours of service for motor carriers and drivers delivering fertilizers in Minnesota.
Due to the late spring, Minnesota farmers are facing a delayed and shortened planting season. This delay has resulted in farmers from multiple states starting field work at the same time, causing a regional fertilizer shortage, and requiring drivers to travel further distances to acquire product. The Governor’s Emergency Executive Order will provide temporary relief from regulations on the hours drivers can work, to help ensure a sufficient supply of fertilizer and other resources are available to farmers to complete planting.
Last year at this time 77 percent of corn was already in the ground in Minnesota. This yearly only 40 percent has been planted so far according to the latest USDA NASS report. Soybean progress hasn’t been much better. Only 11 percent of soybeans have been planted across the state, down from the 37 percent average and below the 41 percent planted last year at this time.
Minnesota is not the only state behind in planting. In fact, neighbors South Dakota and North Dakota are even further behind in planting this spring.
This week North Dakota had 35 percent of corn planted, down 18 percent from 2017. Only 12 percent of soybeans have been planted across the state. Last year South Dakota had 71 percent of corn in the ground and this year only 21 percent has been planted. For soybeans only 4 percent has made its way into the ground.
