Minnesota Corn, Sunflower Harvests Nearly Complete

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Minnesota farmers are nearly finished with the corn and sunflower harvests, thanks to continued dry weather.

According to the weekly U.S. Department of Agriculture crop-weather report for Minnesota, corn was 93 percent harvested as of Sunday. That compares with 86 percent last year and a five-year average of 60 percent.

Sunflowers were 90 percent harvested, compared with 94 percent last year and a 63 percent average.

Statewide, 6.6 days were suitable for field work. Topsoil moistures continue to decline, with 24 percent rated very short, 43 percent short and 33 percent adequate.

Scattered showers produced little measurable rainfall. The warm, dry trend that began in late June continued last week, with temperatures nearly 1 degree above normal statewide.

The prolonged dry weather is making fall tillage difficult in some areas.

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