Minnesota crops benefit from another warm week

New corn
Minnesota farmers have struggled to finish spring planting, but may still have good crops this fall if the weather cooperates. These corn plants on the Richard Peterson farm in Jackson County are about four inches tall and growing fast, as seen on Thursday, June 2, 2011.
MPR Photo/Mark Steil

Minnesota crops have benefited from another week of warm temperatures and adequate soil moisture.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that most fieldwork resumed across Minnesota last week after several wet weeks caused delays. But the agency also said Monday in its weekly crop weather report for Minnesota that excess soil moisture is still a problem in northern areas.

Topsoil moisture supplies were rated mostly adequate, with 21 percent rated surplus, compared with 28 percent surplus a week earlier.

Statewide, 5.3 days were suitable for fieldwork last week.

Crop condition ratings generally held steady, though conditions can vary considerably from field to field and also within a field.

Seventy-two percent of the corn crop is rated in good to excellent condition, compared to 67 percent of the soybean crop.

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