Warm weather continues to stress Minn. crops
Soil moisture levels continue to decline in Minnesota as hot, dry weather persists
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Minnesota crops continue to feel stress from warmer-than-normal temperatures.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture said Tuesday the statewide average temperature last week was 76.7 degrees, nearly 12 degrees above normal.
An average of 0.66 inch of rain fell statewide. That's 0.15 inch below normal. North-central and northeastern regions of Minnesota received higher rainfall amounts.
Despite the rainfall, statewide topsoil and subsoil moisture levels continue to drop. Topsoil moisture is now rated 66 percent very short to short compared with last year while subsoil moisture is 61 percent very short to short.
Soybean development remains behind the normal pace. Ninety-four percent of soybeans were setting pods, nine days behind normal. Only 8 percent of soybeans are turning yellow, well behind last year's 52 percent and the average of 23 percent.
