Wet Weather Hampers Minnesota Corn Planting

ST. PAUL (AP) - The wet, cold weather is preventing Minnesota farmers from getting much planting done.

In its weekly crop progress and condition report for Minnesota, the U.S. Department of Agriculture says only 8% of the state's corn crop has been planted, which is up 4 percentage points from last week's report but is still two weeks behind normal.

The report says southwestern Minnesota continues to be the only part of the state where farmers are making progress.

Widespread precipitation last week meant a statewide average of only 0.9 days were suitable for fieldwork. However, the rain is benefiting soil moisture levels. Subsoil moisture supplies are rated 90% adequate to surplus and only 10% short. Topsoil moisture is rated 99% adequate to surplus and only 1 percent short.