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Crops “highly variable” in southeast Minnesota

A farmer in southeast Minnesota says crops are highly variable.

Les Anderson grows corn and soybeans near Cannon Falls and tells Brownfield conditions took a turn for the worse in mid-August.

“Things were actually looking fairly decent overall, then a couple hot, dry spells came and really seemed to speed things up (and) dry (crops) out. I think the beans probably got hurt worse than the corn.”

He says the hot, dry weather accelerated crop development.

“I was just talking to an agronomist (who) heard of a guy planning on taking some corn today or tomorrow in the area, that it’s down to 20 percent (moisture and) stalks are weak. So they’re going to start going after it.”

Anderson also anticipates soybean harvest picking up later this week.