Minnesota Crops Survive Summer Unscathed

(KNSI) – The National Weather Service says Minnesota’s agricultural sector is going to avoid any significant negative consequences from this year’s drought, unlike other Midwestern states.

Bloomberg recently warned that Iowa’s corn yield is going to be lackluster, saying that scouts had recently found stunted and browning stalks as part of the US Crop Tour. Hydrologist Craig Schmidt says the dry conditions here were unique and central Minnesota is going to end up with a rainfall surplus for the season.

“I’m just gonna say it’s been an interesting drought for central Minnesota where, actually in the St. Cloud area, it’s been above normal for precipitation there. So, it’s really just from pretty much south of your area where we’ve had a drought.”

Schmidt says even in the narrow, arching stretch from Redwood Falls to the Twin Cities that recorded a severe drought at one point, the fallout won’t be particularly noticeable come harvest time.

“It hasn’t been extremely bad in terms of the crops, or anything. Most of our crop conditions are in pretty good shape through the state.”

Schmidt says a warm, dry September would be welcome as harvesters rev up and get into the fields. In an average year, only Iowa, Illinois, and Nebraska produce more corn than Minnesota.

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