ST. PAUL (AP) - Heavy rains and cool temperatures are conspiring to delay crop development and slow fieldwork across Minnesota.

In its weekly crop weather report for Minnesota, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Monday that soils are saturated in many areas, and many fields have standing water. Topsoil moisture supplies are rated 50 percent adequate and 50 percent surplus.

The report says the wet conditions have delayed herbicide applications and made it harder to cut and harvest the first crop of alfalfa.

Statewide, 1.8 days were suitable for fieldwork last week.

Average precipitation was 2.0 inches with 4.1 inches at Canby and 3.8 inches at Faribault (FAIR'-boh). Temperatures were 4.2 degrees below normal.

The average height of corn stalks was 16 inches, which is 13 inches below the five-year average for this date.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

 

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