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Minnesota farmer checks forecast frequently with planting on hold

A cold, wet spring has farmers like Rob Tate checking the forecast several times a day.

The southeast Minnesota corn and soybean grower tells Brownfield despite unseasonably cool conditions he was able to work some ground until an inch and-a-half of rain fell over the weekend.

“I look at my phone app several times a day to see what the weather forecast is doing, (sometimes) it changes a little bit, and I guess just try to be ready when we get that window of opportunity to get something done.”

He says planting is on hold with muddy fields and soil temps below 50 degrees.

“We’re not getting the air temperature and we’re not getting sun (although) the forecast looks like maybe things will be warming up. but I just looked at it briefly and it looks like we’re also going to be getting a little bit more moisture coming through as the temperatures warm up.”

Tate is frustrated by the weather but says he won’t panic about planting dates unless delays drag into the second half of May.