Corn and soybean harvests underway ahead of schedule - WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |

ST. PAUL, Minnesota (WXOW) -- The corn and soybean harvest underway in Minnesota is ahead of the five-year average.

As of September 9, corn and soybeans were each two percent harvested, compared to zero percent for the five-year average.

The reason: statewide temperatures have been above average by 2.4 degrees and 6.5 days were suitable for the fieldwork last week.

Crop development continues ahead of average. Ninety-six percent of corn was in the dent stage or beyond. That's compared to 75% average. Forty-three percent of corn was mature, compared to 13% average.

Eighty-five percent of soybeans were turning yellow or beyond. That's compared to 55 percent average. Eighteen percent of beans were mature, compared to two percent average.

Other harvest progress included potatoes at 37%, sweet corn at 88%, dry beans at 49%, and sugar beets at 10% complete, all ahead of their respective averages. Canola harvest was nearly complete at 99% harvested.