Crops need rain,

but yield outlook

is encouraging

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

SLEEPY EYE -- While corn and bean prices have risen lately due to hot and dry forecasts for much of the rest of July, the seasonal weather outlook through September calls for above-average precipitation and below-average temperatures, according to the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Beans were 66 cents higher Tuesday than on May 1. Corn prices were up 12 cents Tuesday, compared to May 1.

The Climate Prediction Center forecasted above-average precipitation for the southern two-thirds of Minnesota, the entire state of Iowa, eastern South Dakota and Nebraska and northeastern Missouri through September.

The forecast predicted below-normal temperatures for the same region, and that prediction was music to the ears of Brown County Extension Educator Wayne Schoper.

Rain is needed in most areas of the state as crops begin to show signs of stress due to a lack of topsoil moisture, according to the Minnesota Agricultural Statistics Service.

In the west-central portion of the state, burnt spots were showing on light soils, while corn and soybean stands were reported to be uneven, according to the latest crop report released this week.

As of July 6, topsoil moisture conditions across the state were rated 3 percent very short, 20 percent short, 71 percent adequate, and 6 percent surplus.

Soybean growers are still feeling the effects of the wet spring with yellowing and root rot.

"We're seeing an interesting phenomenon in soybean fields," Schoper said. "It's due to wet conditions earlier and dry conditions now."

Meanwhile, the heat is creating great corn-growing weather. However, when the temperature gets higher than 86 degrees, stress results. Some corn leaves are whipped, rolling up or onion leafing, according to Schoper.

"The corn is either short moisture or can't take it up the stalk," Schoper said. "But, we're getting 24-hour growth."

Schoper predicted an average to above-average corn crop with 140-150 bushels per acre, but nothing like the bumper corn crops of the past two years.

Corn condition is rated 56 percent good to excellent, up 4 percentage points from the previous week.

The soybean condition rating of good to excellent is 52 percent, compared to last week's rating of 49 percent.

"Around New Ulm and Sleepy Eye, we didn't get the heaviest rains earlier in the season like they got south and west of here," Schoper said. "I've seen some farmers still cultivating soybeans, which is really unusual this late in the season, but it's due to the late planting."

Schoper said second-crop alfalfa will be starting soon.

The pollination date will be around Aug. 1, about 10 days later than usual, according to Schoper. He hopes moderate rain falls around that date.

The current UV (ultra violet) index forecast reached the high level for much of the Midwest. Tuesday readings during the solar noon hour reached eight in the Twin Cities, seven in Sioux Falls, S.D. and six in Bismarck, N.D. Minimal readings are 0, 1 and 2. Very high levels are 10 or higher.

Editor's note: The Associated Press contributed to this report.