Good U.S. Edible Bean Seeding Progress

WASHINGTON - Jul /09 - SNS -- Seeding of this year's dry edible bean crops is progressing at a faster rate than last year in the United States.

Crop reporters in Michigan said, "Wet conditions slowed field work across much of the State. . . . Several counties have had no fieldwork for a full month due to wet soil. Many fields with low spots still contain some standing water and some crops were under water. . . . Dry bean planting got underway on a limited basis and will expand in the coming week."

Warm weather throughout the past week was behind excellent planting progress in Minnesota. Temperatures reached the highest levels so far this year, and highs were approximately 5 degrees above normal during the reporting period. Scattered precipitation affected the central and southern areas of the state but produced no significant accumulation. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 94% adequate to surplus, unchanged from the previous reporting period.