Minnesota Farmers Start Early on Spring Planting

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Many of Minnesota's farmers are getting an early start on spring planting, taking advantage of warm weather in hopes of higher yields and an earlier harvest.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that the state's corn planting is now 45 percent complete. Reports say the estimation puts the state ahead of the five-year average and four days ahead of last year.

The agency said Monday that this is the second-highest amount of corn planted by this date on record.

The report determined that sugar beet planting, spring wheat planting and oat acreage are each at least two weeks ahead of average.

It also indicated that topsoil moisture rated 74 percent adequate across the state, and subsoil moisture was at 79 percent adequate.