Rain Dampens Harvest Of Small Grains, Hay

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Wet weather is hampering Minnesota farmers as they harvest small grains and hay in some areas of the state.

According to the Minnesota crop report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, only 3.5 days were suitable for fieldwork during the week that ended Sunday. There continues to be reports of saturated fields and, in some areas, standing water. White mold also is reported on some soybeans because of the continued rain, and reports of sudden death syndrome in soybeans were received from southeastern Minnesota.

Corn is rated 86 percent in good to excellent condition, up 1 percentage point from the previous week. Soybeans are rated 80 percent in good to excellent condition, also up a percentage point from the week before.

The second cutting of alfalfa hay is nearing completion.