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Storms damage Minnesota crops, dairy farm

Severe weather early Sunday impacted crop and livestock producers in west-central Minnesota.

Chad Willis of Willmar says strong winds and hail tore through a wide swath of corn and soybean fields in his area.

“I have some corn that is very questionable whether or not it will come out of it.  And there’s pieces of a neighbor’s building out in my field that flew for probably over a quarter-mile.  So a lot of damage in the area.”

Willis tells Brownfield he’s contacted his insurance agent about possible losses.

Carlson Dairy of nearby Pennock also suffered damage during Sunday’s storm.

Minnesota Milk Producers Association executive director Lucas Sjostrum says no people were hurt and no animals died.

“Some cows received minor injuries, but it appears they will all survive.  They got the parlor up and running (Sunday night), which allowed for the cows to stay home, which probably would’ve been the hardest thing to struggle with.  That being said, there’s going to be plenty of struggles in the weeks ahead for the family.  But they’re up and running as close to normal as they possibly can.”

He says there was a tremendous outpouring of support for the Carlson family, who had to turn away volunteers within three hours of the storm.

 

 

Chad Willis audio:

 

Lucas Sjostrum audio: