MOORHEAD, Minn. (AP) Poor weather has delayed the planting of sugar beets in the Red River Valley.

The Agriculture Department says planting on the Minnesota side of the river stands at just five percent complete, when normally at least half of the crop would be in.

In North Dakota, about eleven percent of the sugar beet crop is in, compared with the average of 38 percent.

American Crystal Sugar Company spokesman Jeff Schweitzer says it's an uphill battle to get the acres in this spring.

Parts of the southern valley got hit with as much as one-and-a-half feet of snow over the weekend.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 04-29-08 1047CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list