ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Above-average precipitation has improved soil moisture supplies across Minnesota’s farm country.
In its weekly crop weather report for Minnesota, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Monday that topsoil moisture was rated 4 percent very short, 21 percent short, 69 percent adequate, and 6 percent surplus as of Sunday. That compares with 14 percent very short, 34 percent short, 49 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus a week earlier.
Spring wheat planting is 84 percent complete, compared with zero percent at this point last year when the state had a soggy spring, and 17 percent for the five-year average.
Eleven percent of corn is planted, compared with none last year and a 12 percent average. Sugar beet planting is 45 percent complete, compared with zero last year and a 13 percent average.
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