UNDATED -- A mix of rain and sunshine recently has many central Minnesota farmers smiling. This week's crop report for Minnesota shows corn is 78% good-to-excellent and soybeans are 77% good-to-excellent. The first cutting of hay is 68% complete and eight days ahead of average.

Topsoil moisture is rated 78% adequate, 14% surplus and 7% short statewide.

U-of-M Extension Educator Dan Martens says corn crops in central Minnesota is pacing nicely.  Martens toured several farms in the area this week and says much of the corn should be knee-high by the 4th of July, if not sooner.

Martens says conditions do vary across the region. Some areas had an excess of rain in recent days while other areas only received about a half-inch of rain.

The growing season is off to a good start, but Martens says things can change quickly depending on weather conditions.  Even so, he says most crops are right where farmers need them to be this time of year.

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