News

Rains not enough to signal germination problems, yet

Some parts of the northern Corn Belt where planting has just begun are experiencing wet, cool conditions.

University of Minnesota Extension corn agronomist Jeff Coulter says he’s not overly concerned about seed germination.

“It’s colder outside right now, but we’re not hovering near freezing.”

Imibibitional chilling can occur when melting snow or cold rain gets absorbed by the seedling, sometimes delaying growth, limiting nutrient uptake, or even allow for soil disease and pest entry.

Coulter suggests the May rains have been more of a nuisance at this point.

“Rather than excessive quantities that have really saturated soils and resulted in extremely soggy conditions.”

He tells Brownfield for farmers in Minnesota anyway, near-maximum corn yields remain attainable for at least another week or two.