(KNSI) – Warmer temps, sunshine, and gusting winds are all good news for local farmers but you couldn’t blame them if they were still showing some concern.
The late start to spring affects everything grown here, including forage crops like alfalfa, and soybeans. University of Minnesota Extension Benton County Crops Educator Tyler Rice says corn is in the most danger.
“If we don’t get some of these crops planted, especially corn, by mid-May we start to see yield impacts, the data shows that. We’re going to have to shift what we’re planting as far as day length on the corn side.”
He says the problems arise on the back end of the season. If corn doesn’t get into the ground until mid-spring, it can’t be harvested until after the first frost or freeze has occurred. That reduces the quality of the crop.
Rice says early maturing seeds are available but swapping out is difficult.
“Many farmers have already purchased their seed and are ready to go. That’s a challenge switching out. I can’t speak to what the dealers are doing as far as being able to replace some of that. It’s not an easy switch is the bottom line.”
Rice says it’s a 50/50 proposition that fields will be ready by mid-month.
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