M A Y / J U N E 2 0 1 7 26 POTATO GROWER People, Product News Potatoes 16 Percent Planted in Minnesota Persistent damp conditions and cool temperatures allowed for only 2.7 days suitable for field work during the week ending April 16, 2017, according to USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities for the week included rock picking, fertilizer application, and tilling fields. Small grain planting was most active in the southern two-thirds of the state. Cattle pro- ducers continue to inspect alfalfa fields and pastures. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 0 percent very short, 3 percent short, 79 percent adequate, and 18 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 0 percent very short, 3 percent short, 78 percent adequate, and 19 percent surplus. Nine percent of Minnesota's spring wheat was planted, four days behind last year and one week behind the 5-year average. The oat planting progress advanced 10 per- centage points to 17 percent plant- ed. This is 4 days behind last year and 5 days behind average. There were scattered reports of corn plant- ing in southern Minnesota. Potato and sugarbeet planting con- tinues with 16 and 18 percent com- plete, respectively. Pasture condi- tion improved to 1 percent very poor, 17 percent poor, 38 percent fair, 41 percent good, and 3 percent excellent. Pastures continue turning green but have not grown enough to graze cattle. North Dakota Field Work Underway For the week ending April 16, 2017,