Dry weather is harming crops in area

Severe damage

expected if dry

conditions continue

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

SLEEPY EYE -- A tenth of an inch of rain or less fell in the greater New Ulm area Thursday morning, far less than what was needed to perk up dried up corn and soybean fields.

"We just got a little dusting," Brown County Extension Educator Wayne Schoper said. "We're in an extremely critical stage of crop development right now."

Official rainfall for the city of New Ulm measured .29"; however, Sleepy Eye received only .02".

Some corn is starting to die or is severely suffering, particularly if it was planted in lighter soil and/or had little rain earlier in the season.

Because the area has not received much rain in the past month, Schoper estimated area corn yield losses range from 10 percent to 50 percent.

Corn leaves are rolling in many areas across the state. Small grains are being pushed to early maturity, turning ripe before heads finish filling.

Pasture and grasses are also stressed.

"If we don't get more rain in the next 10-12 days, we will see severe losses," Schoper said. "There is water farther down, but many plant roots won't reach it because they aren't long enough."

Soybean plants are blooming, but many have very poor root development because they didn't need to go far into the ground to reach water early in the season.

"It's very difficult; plants are really struggling," Schoper said.

With the lack of morning dew lately, Schoper warned vegetable gardeners to be on the lookout for insect damage.

"Potato and alfalfa leaf hoppers are going nuts right now," Schoper said.

The weather forecast holds hope for more rain, but ample rainfall didn't sound promising.

Continued hot and humid weather was the only likely prediction.

Friday night holds some hope with a chance of thunderstorms in southern Minnesota. Most areas of the state have a chance of thunderstorms Saturday.

A chance of thunderstorms was predicted Sunday, but mostly in northern Minnesota.

Monday, there is a chance of thunderstorms statewide. Tuesday, the thunderstorm chance is best in southwestern Minnesota.

Cooler weather is predicted beginning Monday with highs in the 80s in southern Minnesota. Tuesday highs of 70 to 80 are forecast.