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Second shot of wintery conditions bring SE Minnesota corn harvest to another halt

Another bout with rain, ice and snow has slowed the corn harvest in southeast Minnesota.

Brennen Toquam of Blooming Prairie says they were about 85 percent done when winter-like conditions reemerged for the second time this fall.

“I think our biggest problem was just the rain that came before the snow and the ice. I couldn’t believe how much the water ponded up, so we’re going to have to take a chance to either let that dry out. Which is tough this time of year with not a lot of sun.”

Or, he says they could try harvesting when it’s really cold.

“Down into the teens at night, might have to go at night just so you don’t bring up too much mud and stuff. Or we’re going to have to wait until it dries out. But it’ll get done, it always does.”

Toquam describes corn yields as a six or seven on a scale of one to ten.  He says soybean yields were closer to average.