Caledonia Argus

Crops faring well so far; rain needed soon

Posted: 7/16/02

by Jane Palen
Managing editor

Farmers in the county would welcome a rainfall soon, according to Bill Halfman, regional crop educator.

At the approximate halfway point in the growing season, the corn is starting to tassel and the soybeans are flowering, so this is a critical time for moisture.

According to one local news report, moisture so far this summer is about a quarter of what is considered normal.

Despite the lack of rain, crops seem to be doing fairly well, said Halfman.

ìCompared to the last four years, we are a little behind but those were exceptional years,î noted Halfman. ìWe are a little behind in growing degree days, but itís nothing to be concerned about.î

Some uneven stands of corn throughout the county are probably reflective of the kind of cold spring we had, said Halfman.

The cold spring served to delay the emergence of potato leaf-hoppers, and most farmers managed to get two cuttings of hay before having to spray for the pest, said Halfman.

Soybean aphids have been slower in appearing this year, although some areas of the county are experiencing flare-ups.

ìNow is a good time to keep an eye on it,î said Halfman. ìOnce we get to August, it doesnít seem to be worth the effort.î

Some pockets of corn borers have been found but so far, Halfman has seen no need for treatment. He advises farmers to watch for them.

The first cutting of hay seemed to be light, said Halfman , but the later cuttings yielded thick hay, observed Halfman.

ìIt depended on the timing for the second crop,î said Halfman. ìItís been an interesting year. It is not uniform throughout the county. Thereís much more variability due to the kind of spring we had.î

Some farmers were forced to plant corn when soil conditions were too moist, and that has resulted in some emergence problems. Because of the cool weather, the corn sat in the ground longer than it should have, said Halfman.

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