ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Small grain planting is advancing at a strong pace in Minnesota, aided by warm, dry weather.

In its weekly crop weather report for Minnesota, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported Monday that spring wheat advanced 22 percentage points to 25 percent planted, compared with none last year and 1 percent for the five-year average. Oats advanced 31 points to 49 percent planted, compared with none last year and a 5 percent average. Barley advanced 12 points to 18 percent planted, compared with none last year and a 2 percent average.

Four percent of Minnesota’s oats have emerged, while 1 percent of the state’s barley has emerged.

Statewide average temperatures were 9.7 degrees above normal last week. Weekly rainfall ranged from 0.36 inches in east-central areas to none in the southwest.

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