Cold, Wet Conditions Delay Minnesota Fieldwork

ST. PAUL (AP) - Continuing cold and wet conditions have delayed fieldwork for Minnesota farmers by nearly a week.

In its weekly crop weather report for Minnesota, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Monday the anticipated date for full-scale fieldwork has been pushed back to Sunday, May 1. The two previous reports had put the date at Monday, April 25. But less than one day was rated suitable for fieldwork last week, and weather conditions have contributed to saturated fields and low soil temperatures.

As of Sunday, topsoil moisture was rated 55 percent adequate and 45 percent surplus.

Oat planting held steady at 4 percent, compared with 82 percent last year and 39 percent for the five-year average. Barley was 1 percent planted, compared with 82 percent last year and a 25 percent average.

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