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Some farmers have too much
Published 11:18am Wednesday, July 29, 2009Too much rain for farmers west of Fergus Falls is contrasted by too little rain in Grant County, which includes the Elbow Lake and Herman areas.
“We’ve had eight inches of rain the past month in our area,” said Charles Piekarski who farms west of Fergus Falls. “And while our corn and soybeans are behind schedule, many farmers further west — between Foxhome and Breckenridge — have experienced from 10 to 12 inches of rain.”
He said that, in contrast, some corn crops are wilting in Grant County.
Tasseling, when the corn plant has all the leaves it will ever produce and the root mass is the largest it will be all season, is on the minds of many area farmers.
“It will be a tight race to make it to maturity for corn,” said Piekarski. “Normally, the frost date is around Sept. 25 each year.”
Soon after tasseling, the corn plant no longer is concerned about growth. It’s sole purpose becomes producing grain. All of the plant’s resources will be redirected to the formation of the largest ear possible.
“Tasseling is the change from growth to reproduction — the accumulation of cobs and kernels,” said County Extension Educator Doug Holen. “The barley harvest will start this week, and later on we’ll see winter wheat coming off the fields.”
As for soybeans in his area, Piekarski said those crops also are slightly behind schedule this year. He said there is some soybean crop blossoming in his area. The blossoming needs to begin in order to get the pods process underway.
