Minn. small-grain harvest runs ahead of average

Published 5:10 pm Tuesday, July 24, 2012

ST. PAUL — Minnesota’s small-grain harvest is running well ahead of the average pace.

In its weekly crop weather report for Minnesota, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Monday that the spring wheat harvest was 17 percent complete as of Sunday, compared with none last year at this time and a 1 percent average. Small grains continued to be rated in primarily fair to good condition.

Statewide, topsoil moisture supplies held relatively steady, and were rated 21 percent very short, 35 percent short, 40 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus.

Email newsletter signup

Most crop condition ratings declined slightly, but corn and soybeans both remained in primarily fair to good condition. Corn and soybean development continues ahead of the averages.

The sweet corn harvest advanced 6 percentage points to 9 percent.