Warm weather, timely rains promote crop growth

By Tom Hintgen (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published 10:42 a.m., July 8, 2009

Crop growth generally improved last week as high heat and humidity proved to be a boost for farmers in Otter Tail County and other areas of the state. Daytime highs climbed into the mid 80s in parts of central Minnesota.

Many farmers in Otter Tail County reached the annual goal of at least knee-high corn by the Fourth of July.

“We had temperatures in the low 80s for much of last week, which really helped in the growth of corn,” said Paul Jorgenson, manager of the farmers cooperative elevator in Rothsay. “Farmers about five miles south of town also had the benefit of some rainfall.”

Jorgenson said soybean growth also is doing well in the Rothsay area.

There were 5.2 days suitable for fieldwork during the week. Last week’s precipitation amounts were highly variable. Heavy rains fell across the northwest section of Minnesota.

Statewide, topsoil moisture supplies were rated 78 percent adequate to surplus compared to 75 percent the previous week. Twenty-two percent of the state’s topsoil was rated short to very short of moisture. Eighty-two percent of the corn crop was rated in good to excellent condition.

Seventy-four percent of soybeans were in good to excellent condition with an average height. Oats heading advanced significantly under the warm weather to 51 percent, up from 17 percent the previous week.

Oats heading was ahead of last year, but trails the five-year average of 56 percent. Spring wheat was 15 percent heading and barley was 18 percent heading, both behind last year.

The first cutting of alfalfa was rated 84 percent complete. First cutting continues for some northern locations, including parts of Otter Tail County, while second cutting is underway across the south. Producers were spraying for alfalfa weevil in west central Minnesota.

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