Minnesota farmers need rain
Most areas of Minnesota are in need of precipitation. The latest crop conditions and progress report shows portions of central Minnesota with less-than-adequate top soil moisture.
The driest areas of the state are near Hutchinson, Willmar, Montivideo and Redwood Falls.
Keith Johnson is an agronomist at the Hutchinson Co-Op.
"It sounds like from reports in the past we're probably around that three inches below normal. These dewey mornings are helping some, just to drip moisture back and keep everything shaded now and it's holding its own," Johnson said.
According to the State Climatology Office, July rainfall totals were short of average by one to two inches in most areas.
The U.S. Drought Monitor rates much of Minnesota as "Abnormally Dry" and some locations as experiencing "Moderate Drought".
At last report, 72 percent of the state's corn crop and 74 percent of Minnesota soybeans are rated good to excellent.
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