ST. PAUL (AP) -- Thunderstorms swept through Minnesota last week, driving farmers from their fields, according to the Minnesota Agricultural Statistics Service.
The storms brought rain that washed away daily rainfall records in several places, especially in a band across central Minnesota from Traverse to Pine counties -- where over 6 inches of rain fell in places.
Some crops will be drowned out. In addition, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and hail caused localized damage. The statewide average temperature was 65.5 degrees, which is 2.1 degrees below normal.
Statewide topsoil moisture conditions as of June 27 were rated 2 percent short, 66 percent adequate, and 32 percent surplus.
Corn height was 28 inches, compared with 24 inches last year and 28 inches for the five-year average. Soybeans are 8 inches tall, compared with 8 inches for last year and for the five-year average.
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Corn condition rating of good to excellent was 81 percent, the same as last week. Soybean condition was rated 78 percent good to excellent versus 79 percent last week.
Spring wheat was 78 percent heading compared with 38 percent last week and the five-year average of 48 percent. An estimated 76 percent of barley was heading versus 41 percent last week and 47 percent for the five-year average. An mstimated 71 percent of oat acreage is heading, compared with 43 percent last week and 63 percent for the five-year average.
There were 2.2 days suitable for fieldwork.
