Minn. Corn, Soybean Planting Way Ahead Of Average

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota farmers continue to make progress on planting corn and soybeans, thanks to warm, dry weather.

According to the USDA's weekly crop-weather report for Minnesota, corn planting jumped to 88 percent planted, with 45 percent of the crop emerged. Soybeans are 44 percent planted, compared with 7 percent last year and 29 percent for the five-year average. Three percent of soybeans have emerged.

Small grains are rated in good to excellent condition.

Most areas reported below average rainfall for the week ending Sunday. Rain is still needed in northwestern Minnesota. In southern Minnesota, heavy rains the previous week improved topsoil moisture but kept farmers out of the fields early in the week.

Topsoil moisture is rated 2 percent very short, 10 percent short, 77 percent adequate and 11 percent surplus.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)