By Tom Webb

Pioneer Press, St. Paul

Minnesota’s corn and soybean crops have deteriorated after last week’s deluge, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Monday.

Following heavy rains statewide, scattered hail and lots of standing water, 7 percent of Minnesota’s corn crop is now rated in poor or very poor condition. Two weeks ago, just 2 percent was rated that badly.

For both soybeans and spring wheat, it’s a similar story. USDA said 7 percent of both Minnesota’s soybean acreage and its spring wheat acreage is now in poor or very poor condition. Two weeks ago, 2 percent of the soybean acreage and 1 percent of the spring wheat acreage was rated that poorly.

USDA reported that 58 percent of the state’s topsoil is too wet, and the remaining 42 percent has adequate soil moisture. There isn’t anywhere in Minnesota that’s rated too dry.

Last week, 5.1 inches of rain fell at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, along with 7.3 inches in North Mankato and 5.3 inches at Redwood Falls.

—Distributed by MCT Information Services