Despite Rain, Minnesota Farmers Make Corn Progress

ST. PAUL (AP) — Minnesota farmers have been able to make gains planting corn, despite continued wet and cool weather.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than 20 percent of Minnesota's corn crop was planted last week.

But corn planting is still lagging. Planting of the corn crop is 53 percent complete, compared with a five-year average of 81 percent.

Soybean planting is only 16 percent complete, 11 days behind normal. Potato, spring wheat, sugar beet and barley planting also are behind the average pace.

Sunflower planting has begun, but is over three weeks behind normal.

Temperatures remained below normal, and much of Minnesota had frost last week. Only 2.9 days were suitable for fieldwork, 1.5 days behind average.