Wet Weather Slows Planting In Minnesota

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A stretch of wet weather has slowed planting of crops in Minnesota.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says that last week, Minnesota farmers across the state had an average of just 1.9 days that were suitable for fieldwork.

But despite the wet weather, emergence of corn and small grains continued to move along.

Corn planting was 82 percent complete, compared with 100 percent last year, and the average of 95 percent. Corn emergence increased 32 percentage points to 40 percent emerged, but is still well behind last year's 91 percent.

Soybeans were 42 percent planted, compared with 92 percent last year and the average of 76 percent.

Spring wheat and barley planting were behind normal. Sugarbeets were 92 percent planted compared with 100 percent last year.

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