Minn. Farmers Make Big Advance Planting Soybeans

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Warm weather is helping Minnesota farmers make rapid progress planting soybeans.

According to the USDA's weekly crop-weather report Monday, soybean planting in Minnesota has jumped to 81 percent complete. That compares with 30 percent last year and a five-year average of 56 percent.

Canola and potato planting are nearly complete. Six days were rated suitable for fieldwork statewide for the week ending Sunday.

Despite scattered showers over the weekend, dry conditions persist in most parts of Minnesota. Topsoil moisture supplies declined from the previous week and are now rated 2 percent very short, 17 percent short, 76 adequate and 5 percent surplus.

In the first corn condition rating of the year, Minnesota's corn crop is rated 2 percent poor, 14 percent fair, 71 percent good and 13 percent excellent.

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