Minn. farmers benefit from warm, dry week
by The Associated Press

ST. PAUL -- A week of warm dry weather helped Minnesota crops develop, but the weekly government crop report says their growth remained below historical averages.

The report released Monday by the Minnesota field office of the U.S. Department of Agriculture says there were just over six days suitable for field work last week.

As of Sunday, the average corn height in the state was estimated at 20 inches, down from 50 inches at this time last year and 33 inches for the five-year average.

It was a similar story for soybeans. The average height was 6 inches compared to 12 inches last year and 9 inches for the five-year average.

The report says the average temperature in the state last week was nearly 68 degrees, about half a degree above normal.

Statewide topsoil moisture supplies as of Friday, were 1 percent very short, 13 short, 81 adequate, and 5 surplus.

On the Net:
Minnesota field office, USDA: http://www.nass.usda.gov/mn/