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Topsoil moisture, crop conditions hold steady [UPDATED]
Published 8:33am Wednesday, August 8, 2012 Updated 1:35pm Wednesday, August 8, 2012ST. PAUL — Welcome rain helped topsoil moisture supplies hold relatively steady across Minnesota this past week despite the drought across most of the country.
In its weekly crop weather report for Minnesota, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Monday that rainfall ranged from 1.6 inches in the southeast to 0.71 inches in central Minnesota. Topsoil moisture was rated 15 percent very short, 35 percent short, 48 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus.
Producers made significant progress on the small-grain harvest despite the rain. The spring wheat harvest is 80 percent complete, compared with 4 percent last year and 14 percent for the five-year average.
Corn and soybean conditions also held relatively steady. The corn crop is rated 76 percent in fair to good condition, while soybeans are 80 percent fair to good.
