News

Adverse weather drags Minnesota crop conditions lower

Weather continues to take a toll on Minnesota crops.

USDA’s latest weekly report says a lack of precipitation across most of the state and storm damage where it did rain lowered condition ratings for corn and soybeans.

Corn considered good to excellent fell below 50 percent for the first time, with about half the crop at or beyond the dough stage.

Soybeans considered good to excellent dropped to 48 percent, with 60 percent setting pods.

For small grains, the harvesting of oats advanced to 35 percent, barley is nine percent harvested, and spring wheat harvest is just underway.

Sugarbeets are called 90 percent good to excellent, and the second cutting of alfalfa is 84 percent complete.