ST. PAUL  — Minnesota’s corn and soybean crops continue to develop ahead of the five-year average.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 95 percent of Minnesota’s corn crop has emerged. That’s 17 days ahead of last year and 16 days ahead of average.

Corn condition is 70 percent good or excellent, a slight increase over the previous week.

Soybean planting is 94 percent complete. Seventy-four percent of the soybean crop has emerged, 12 days ahead of last year and 11 days ahead of average.

Farmers only had three days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending Sunday, because of above average rainfall and cool temperatures. But for the first time this season, Minnesota had no subsoil moisture listed in very short supply.

Producers remain concerned about the spread of bird flu in both turkeys and chickens.