Crops in most parts of Minnesota began to improve because of beneficial weather.

The latest weekly crop report from USDA says corn considered good to excellent went from 41 to 42 percent, and soybeans rated good to excellent gained a percentage point to 45 percent.

Corn silking, at 16 percent, is a day behind last year but two days ahead of the five-year average.

For soybeans, 60 percent are blooming and 11 percent are setting pods, both about a week faster than normal.

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