Rain Stalls U.S. Bean Seeding

WASHINGTON - Jun 15/10 - SNS -- Seeding of this year's dry edible bean crops is nearing completion, though it was stalled in most states during the past week on account of wet weather.

Crop reporters in Michigan said rainy weather continued and hindered many field activities during the past week. Wheat was past flowering and was in early grain fill. The reports of powdery mildew, Septoria, Fusarium head blight (scab) and leaf rust continued.

In the southeast, there was some lodging due to last week's tornado. Oats and barley were heading out. Small grains were yellowing, in part due to maturity and the abundance of moisture received. Some oats in the southwest were in early grain fill.

Minnesota also suffered from heavy rain during the past week. As of June 13, precipitation was .80 inch above normal statewide. Severe thunderstorms on June 10-11 produced some of the largest precipitation levels of the year, saturating soils and causing standing water in some low areas.