Corn, soybean growth above state average
Published Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Otter Tail County’s growth of corn and soybeans is above the state average. However, crop growth still is behind figures from a year ago and behind the five-year averages.
Heavy rainfall on Saturday did not result in too many adverse effects on farmers throughout the county.
“Sure, there are some low-lying areas where you still see water,” Regional Extension Educator Doug Holen said. “The good news is that last week, before Saturday’s rainfall, we were fortunate to have three inches of very slow and soaking rainfall at different periods of time.”
Holen said June, historically, is a rainy month.
“We need slow and steady rainfall this time of year in order to get the subsoil moisture to where we want it to be in July and August,” he said. “We all know that July and August can oftentimes be very dry months.”
The average corn height in Otter Tail County is close to seven inches, slightly above the state average of six inches. The five-year average for corn height is 13 inches for this time of year.
Soybean height in the county averages close to three inches, also slightly above the state average. This compares to six inches last year and four inches for the five-year average.
“Hay cutting is in full swing throughout Otter Tail County,” Holen said. “I was out and about Monday and it was good to see so many farmers in the fields.”
Holen joins area farmers in the hope that, following the cool and wet weather, sunny days and warm temperatures become the order of the day.
“It’s amazing how sun and heat can change things around,” Holen said. “Hopefully this will be the case for farmers county-wide.”
According to the Associated Press, there are no significant parts of the state where the topsoil moisture is short or very short. Instead, it's 56 percent adequate and 44 percent surplus.
The average temperature across Minnesota last week was just over 61 degrees, a few degrees lower than normal. As of Friday, 63 percent of corn and soybeans statewide were rated in good or excellent condition.
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