Farmers wrap up harvest ahead of average

Minnesota farmers are finishing the corn and sunflower harvests ahead of the five-year average.

According to the final Minnesota crop report of the season, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Wednesday farmers nearly wrapped up the harvest last week.

Despite rain and snow during the week, Minnesota's harvest of corn, sunflowers and sugar beets was nearing completion.

As of Sunday, corn was 98 percent harvested, compared with 89 percent last year and 58 percent for the five-year average.

Sunflowers were 99 percent harvested, compared with 85 percent last year and 61 percent average. Sugar beets were 93 percent harvested, compared with 99 percent last year and 92 percent average.

Rain and snow boosted moisture supplies statewide. Most reporting stations in southeastern Minnesota reported over an inch of rain last week.