USDA says Minn. soybean harvest behind pace

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says Minnesota's soybean harvest is behind the normal pace for late September.

The USDA says just 5 percent of the state's soybeans have been harvested; the average for this time of year is 15 percent. The crop was delayed by cool summer temperatures.

The Minnesota soybean harvest is estimated to be worth almost $3 billion, but market prices have slipped in the last month. A good crop could offset the decline. So far, farmers are pleased with their soybean yields said southwest Minnesota grain elevator manager John Valentine.

"I think, generally speaking, most of the yields we're hearing are just a little better than what we thought here with the conditions the way they were," Valentine said.

Valentine said farmers worried that dry weather would hurt the crop more than it did and that yields so far range from 42 to 52 bushels an acre.

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