Minnesota crops are ahead of schedule
KMSP - Ample warmth and plenty of moisture has led to a copious amount of crop production over the last few weeks with just about everything from wheat to corn to soybeans getting ahead of schedule by 1 to 3 weeks. While some farmers have seen some damage from severe weather and heavy rains, the majority of the state can expect BIG yields come harvest time, which is already underway for winter wheat, barley, and oats.
And despite the fact that farmers have struggled to get into their fields because of recent heavy rains, harvest of the grains is still ahead of where we were last year AND ahead of the 5 year average. Moisture, mild nights, and warm days have all contributed to what will likely be a fantastic year for area farmers. The only thing that could ruin it now would be a very early freeze, which is impossible to predict at this point.
Soil moisture continues to be well above the norm as many areas have seen above average rainfall this summer, with some parts of cabin country nearing their wettest summer on record. Here’s a breakdown of the condition of each crop statewide from the USDA…
