Minn.'s crop picture better than outlook for rest of U.S.

WILLMAR -- The weekly state Crop-Weather Report shows that Minnesota's corn and soybean crops are faring a good deal better than the nation's crops.

The statewide report, issued Monday by the state Department of Agriculture, shows that 82 percent of Minnesota's corn was in good or excellent shape, with the average height at 23 inches. The soybeans were rated at 86 percent fair to good and the average bean plant was 6 inches tall.

The USDA's Crop Progress report, also issued Monday, showed that 63 percent of the nation's corn crop was rated as good or excellent, a 3 point drop from the previous week.

Similarly, 56 percent of the nation's soybean crop was good or excellent, down 4 points from the previous week.

The lowered condition rating is due to dry conditions across the southern Plains states and the Eastern Corn Belt. The U.S. Drought Monitor shows dry to outright drought conditions in Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana.

Meanwhile in Minnesota, the state's topsoil moisture was rated at 17 percent surplus, 75 percent adequate, and 8 percent short or very short.