Major Fieldwork About 3 Weeks Off On Minnesota Farms

ST. PAUL (AP) — It's going to be about three more weeks before full-scale fieldwork begins on Minnesota farms.

In its first weekly crop-weather report of the season for Minnesota, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Monday that this winter's heavy snow and below-average temperatures have put spring fieldwork behind last year's pace, but near the five-year average.

Livestock producers report good calving conditions.

Snow melt conditions varied across the state last week. Cool temperatures, averaging 3 degrees below average, slowed the thawing process and extended the flooding potential. Statewide precipitation was below average.

Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 35 percent adequate and 65 percent surplus; subsoil moisture supplies were rated 45 percent adequate and 55 percent surplus.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.