The Official Newspaper for Foster County
The Official Newspaper for Foster County
Great potential. That’s what many Foster County farmers are seeing as they look across their fields.
Corn and soybeans grew rapidly this summer due to warmer-than-normal weather in June. One producer told me that the corn in mid-July was the best he has ever seen.
The question is, will tremendous early growth translate into high yields?
By the third week of July, most corn was silking. The soybeans were flowering and setting pods. Both crops were using about a third of an inch of water per day.
The plants have been relying on moisture reserves in the soil because rainfall has been lacking in recent weeks.
The Carrington REC reported just 2.0 inches of rain during July. That’s about two thirds of normal.
It’s been even drier in the northeast part of our county. McHenry received just 0.5 inches last month.
Foster County was classified “abnormally dry” by the U.S. Drought Monitor on July 27.
We had nearly three weeks of cooler than normal temperatures in July, which reduced the stress on our crops.
A significant warm-up occurred towards the end of the month, however, with temperatures reaching 92 degrees on July 26.
Corn likes warm temperatures, but hot, dry weather at silking can reduce pollination. Potential kernel size is also being determined at this stage.
The first 10 to 14 days after pollination are especially critical. Significant stress during this stage can cause kernels to abort, especially the kernels nearest the tip of the ear.
In some ways, soybeans deal with short-term stresses better than corn. Drought stress may result in the abortion of flowers or pods, but if conditions improve, the soybean plants will rebound and begin producing new flowers and pods.
With soil moisture reserves having been depleted, corn and soybeans both need rain during August to reach their full yield potential.
The long-range forecast issued by the National Weather Service indicates that Foster County has equal probabilities of receiving above, below or near normal precipitation in August. Temperatures look like they may be cooler than normal.
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One livestock producer said to me last week, “I haven’t gotten as much hay as I did last year.”
I reminded him, “Yes, but last year’s hay crop was exceptional.”
Haying has gone well for many producers. The second cutting of alfalfa was ready by the third week of July.
Most people that I’ve talked with have reported at least average hay production. However, one producer told me his hay yields were significantly less than normal.
High fly populations have caused health issues in some herds this summer. Pinkeye and foot rot are two problems that producers have mentioned.
It’s not only farmers, but also ranchers, who are hoping for precipitation.
Fall rains are critical to tiller formation in many cool season grasses. The tillers formed this fall will directly impact plant growth next year.
Range specialists encourage producers to only allow light to moderate grazing of pastures and hay lands.
Overgrazing this fall can reduce forage production by 50 percent or more next year.