Rain, Wet Fields Hamper Alfalfa Hay Harvest In Minnesota

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Rain and wet fields have slowed the alfalfa hay harvest and crop spraying in Minnesota.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, only 3.5 days were suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Sunday.

The first cutting of alfalfa hay was 27 percent complete. That's four days ahead of last year but five days behind the five-year average.

Most of Minnesota's corn crop has emerged. Corn condition is rated 73 percent good to excellent, up 3 percentage points from last week.

Soybean planting is nearly complete, at 97 percent. Eighty-eight percent of the soybean acreage has emerged, 13 days ahead of last year and 11 days ahead of average.

Minnesota's first soybean condition of the year is estimated at 73 percent good to excellent.