Warm weather helps Minn. crops; dries damp fields

Above-average temperatures over the past week have benefited Minnesota's major crops and helped to dry out the state's damp fields.

In its weekly crop weather report for Minnesota, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Monday that topsoil moisture supplies were rated 23 percent surplus, down from 32 percent last week. Drier conditions were also beneficial for haying and spraying in some areas. Statewide 4.9 days were rated suitable for fieldwork last week.

Rain was light across the north, but east-central and south-central Minnesota received an average of 2 inches.

Crop conditions were generally unchanged. Eight-eight percent of the corn crop is in good to excellent condition, while soybeans are 83 percent good to excellent.

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