Watch CBS News

Minnesota Sugarbeet Harvest Nearly Complete

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Minnesota farmers made significant harvest progress this past week thanks to continued warm, dry weather.

The sugarbeet harvest took a 41 percentage-point jump to 95 percent complete as of Sunday, compared to 98 percent at this point last year and a five-year average of 86 percent.

In its weekly crop weather report for Minnesota, the U.S. Department of Agriculture also said Monday the corn harvest advanced 31 points to 79 percent complete, compared to 98 percent a year ago and a five-year average of 43 percent. The average moisture content of harvested corn was 15 percent, which cuts down on the expense of using fuel to dry it.

The sunflower harvest is now 73 percent complete, a 24-point gain, compared with 89 percent last year and a 47-percent average.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.