Planting Of Corn Crop Nearly Half Complete

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota farmers continued planting crops ahead of the average — and Minnesota's corn crop is nearly half planted.

In its weekly crop report for Minnesota, the U.S. Department of Agriculture says the state's corn crop is 48 percent complete. That's compared with just 1 percent last year and 31 percent for the five-year average.

Spring wheat planting is also well ahead of the average pace. The crop is 93 percent complete, compared with the average of 28 percent. Potato planting is 63 percent complete, and sugar beet planting advanced to 93 percent planted.

Precipitation amounts last week were below normal. Statewide, 4.4 days were rated suitable for fieldwork.

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