Posted: 8/14/07
Thanks to recent rain, area crops are looking ëgood to excellentí
By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
"I almost feel guilty when I talk with Extension people from other parts of the state. Theyíre talking about severe droughts, from stressed to near-total crop failures. And when they ask me how things are in this corner of the state, I tell them weíre looking at possible record yields again this summer. We have been so blessed in Houston, Fillmore, and parts of Winona counties this year. Things are really looking good to excellent for us."
Thatís the way Houston/Fillmore Extension Educator Jerry Tesmer replied when asked how the crops looked last week. According to the most recent figures, Houston County is about three-quarters of an inch of precipitation below normal, while most of Fillmore County is less than a half-inch below the norm.
"The vast majority of the state is in a moderate to severe drought. Many areas are looking at total crop failures this summer," Tesmer continued. And the drought isnít that far away. Olmsted and the northern portions of Winona County are five to six inches below normal and crops are showing considerable stress.
The two inches of rain the Caledonia area received August 4 was certainly the preverbal "million dollar rain." While areas west and south of Caledonia had received some very welcomed rains during the last two weeks of July, the Houston County seat kept missing out. Things werenít to the critical stage, but browning lawns were an indication a good soaking rain was needed.
"With the most recent rain, ears are filling out nicely, and weíre adding test weight," Tesmer noted. "We were looking at a good crop in the Houston County area, but with last Saturdayís rain, weíre now looking at a great crop."
Tesmer reported soybean aphids became a problem, especially during the drier-than-normal period in late-June and July. Many farmers sprayed for aphids, which along with the August 4 soaker, seems to have improved that infestation issue. Another pest issue was spider mites, which do not tolerate a lot of rain. The two-inch rain remedied that problem as well.
"The soybeans are looking good to excellent too," Tesmer said. "A couple more good rains in the next few weeks will carry us through."
The alfalfa crop was affected by the dry spell in Houston County. But again, the timely rain has really greened things up and the third cutting should be good to excellent.
With much of the state in the grips of the drought, good alfalfa will be at a premium, which is another plus for area farmers.
Area farmers realized an excellent small grain harvest last month. Plenty of precipitation this past spring, coupled with a dry spell during harvest time provided good to excellent yields and plenty of straw.
"The only thing that could keep us from having another excellent harvest is an early frost, and I donít see that happening. An inch of rain per week through the end of August certainly wonít hurt the corn and it would help the beans. Then, some dry weather to help start the drying process and weíll be looking at a very excellent year," Tesmer concluded.
Caledonia Argus
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507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com