Tornadoes -- which touched down in Grove City, Litchfield, Benson, Parkers Prairie, and Brainerd last week -- and hail damaged crops in several areas.

The Minnesota Agricultural Statistics Service said last week's precipitation was 1.3 inches above normal. Crop progress remains slow because of the lack of sunshine and heat; seed rot, disease and cutworms are concerns for many producers.

Topsoil moisture conditions across the state as of Friday were rated 36 percent adequate and 64 percent surplus.

Corn was 99 percent emerged as of Sunday, the same as this date a year ago and for the 5-year average. Corn height is 7 inches, compared with 16 inches this time last year. The 5-year average is 14 inches. The corn condition rating of good to excellent is 44 percent, same as the previous week.

Soybeans are 82 percent emerged, compared to 99 percent a year ago and 93 percent for the 5-year average. Soybean height is 3 inches, compared with 5 inches this time last year. The soybean condition rating of good to excellent is 43 percent, compared to last week's rating of 41 percent.

Spring wheat emergence is 97 percent, compared to 98 percent for the 5-year average. Spring wheat has reached 23 percent jointed, compared to the 5-year average of 52 percent. Spring wheat conditions are rated 76 percent good to excellent, up from the rating the previous week of 69 percent.

Pasture conditions are rated as 74 percent good to excellent. Alfalfa is reported to be 60 percent good to excellent. The first cutting of alfalfa hay is 58 percent completed, compared to the 5-year average of 74 percent.

With the wet weather, alfalfa harvest has been difficult. In fields cut for hay, the hay has been down and rained on for several days.

There was an average of 1.9 days suitable for fieldwork last week.