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Minn. Farmers Continue Planting At Rapid Rate

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota farmers continue spring planting at a torrid pace, despite a temperature cool-down last week.

According to the USDA's Minnesota crop-weather report Tuesday, spring wheat planting is 56 percent complete, well ahead of the five-year average of 6 percent.

Oats planted were 77 percent complete. That compares with 3 percent last year and 14 percent average. Nineteen percent of the state's oats already have emerged.

Barley planting is 35 percent complete, with 8 percent of the state's barley emerged.

Farmers already are 27 complete preparing land for corn, with 7 percent of corn planted. Sugar beet planting is 24 percent complete.

Temperatures last week fell well below freezing in several areas of the state for the first time since early March. Statewide, five days were suitable for fieldwork.

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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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