Rains beneficial to most crops But wind

flattens

some fields

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Area county extension agents agreed that last weekend's rain and wind storms did more good than harm, but corn was bent over or knocked down in some fields.

Winds up to 50 mph and up to 6 inches of rain hit the Comfrey, Springfield, Lamberton and Walnut Grove areas Saturday, Sunday and Monday mornings, according to Redwood County Agent Wayne Hansen.

"The Cottonwood [River] was out of its banks in spots," Hansen said. "Some corn was flat on the ground."

The combination of the wet spring, poor root development, rain-loosened soil and soil compaction made corn particularly susceptible to high winds.

"Corn is growing so fast now, it isn't real strong," Hansen said. "It was hard for shallow roots to hold it. Some of it will straighten back up, but there could be some reduced pollination and ear development."

Southeastern Brown County also sustained pockets of damage, according to Greg Tenant of the NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service).

The rain was very timely according to Brown County Extension Educator Wayne Schoper.

"Some corn will come back, some won't; but it was a good time to get rain," Schoper said. "It came about a minute before it would have been too late."

Damage in Watonwan County was limited to small areas, according to County Extension Agent Gary Wyatt.

"There could be some pollination problems on stalks close the ground, but most of the plants are healthy," Wyatt said. "The moisture from the storm was much more beneficial even though there was some wind damage."

Renville County damage was limited to edges of fields, Extension Agent David Nelson said. Less rain fell in that area, and most of the corn should be harvestable.

Nicollet County fared better than areas north and west, according to Nicollet County Extension Agent Gary Hachfeld. Several hundred small-grain acres were knocked down, making harvesting more of a challenge, Hachfeld said.

Corn damage was reported as far west as the South Dakota border and as far south as Jackson.

More than 50,000 acres of corn, including entire fields, were flattened in Lyon County. Heavy damage was also reported in Lincoln and Murray counties.

Meanwhile, city residents found relief from watering restrictions. Bans were removed Monday in Springfield and Sleepy Eye.

Some of the heaviest rain fell in the Springfield area which saw up to 6 inches over the weekend, putting more gusto into the Cottonwood River.

"It's not a little creek anymore," Springfield City Manager Gary Hale said Monday. "No more bare spots, and the river filled up much of its bank."

Hale heard reports of water standing in fields Monday in the Springfield and Comfrey areas. Tree branches were reported on the ground in Springfield.

The next few days are expected to be dry, but more rain is possible Thursday and Friday.

High temperatures are expected in the upper 70s this week. Dewpoints are forecast to dip into the 50s today, meaning half as much moisture in the air as there was last Saturday. Cooler, dryer Canadian air is likely throughout the week.