Minnesota's corn, soybean crops maturing faster than norm

Minnesota's corn and soybean crops are maturing a bit faster than usual.

In its weekly crop conditions report for Minnesota, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said 26 percent of the soybean crop has reached the turning yellow stage or beyond.

That's 18 percentage points ahead of the five-year average.

Soybeans were rated 80 percent in fair to good condition, compared to 81 percent a week earlier.

Seventy-five percent of corn has reached the dent stage or beyond, compared with 50 percent last week and a 35 percent average.

Corn condition was 76 percent fair to good, compared to 77 percent the previous week.

Most reporting stations recorded below-normal precipitation last week.

Topsoil moisture supplies declined to 18 percent very short, 40 percent short, 41 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus.