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Damage to corn from cold weather return not likely

An extension corn agronomist says he’s not overly concerned about newly planted corn being damaged by more cold, wet weather in parts of the Midwest.

Jeff Coulter with the University of Minnesota tells Brownfield it is possible seedlings planted immediately ahead of those conditions could be injured.

“The concern is the first moisture that seed imbibes, when that moisture is really cold, that potentially causing some injury on the seed.  However, that tends to be pretty rare.”

For growers who have planted corn before this latest cold snap, Coulter recommends keeping an eye on those acres.

“Particularly the lower parts of fields that aren’t well-drained.  So as soon as it warms up and the seeds are starting to sprout a root, it would be good to go out to those areas.  Dig up seeds and keep an eye on them to assess things and decide if you need to replant.”

Coulter suggests farmers remain patient and wait until conditions are suitable for planting.

As of Sunday, 17 percent of the U.S. corn crop has been planted, slightly behind the five year average.