Cool

weather

affects corn

pack at

Del Monte

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

SLEEPY EYE -- For the first time in years, Del Monte Corp. shut its plant down during a corn pack.

The plant was silent last Saturday and Sunday, giving workers more time off than they are accustomed to during this time of year.

Corn processing began again Monday morning, but more shut-downs may be ahead.

Del Monte Area Manager Jay Ruenger said the corn that is coming in looks good, but he sees an erratic pack this year.

"There's spotty running ahead," Ruenger said Monday.

Record cold temperatures, dipping into the low-30s in central and northern Minnesota and North Dakota, combined with a wet spring put vegetable growth at least a couple weeks behind.

Low temperatures in Southern Minnesota were in the 40s.

Light frost in low areas killed some area soybean plants Friday night, according to University of Minnesota Area Extension Educator Wayne Schoper.

"Most guys would normally be chopping silage now," Schoper said. "When it is cold this long, it messes things up."

The good news is yields are decent and insects remain at bay. About a month of warm days and nights and a few brief shots of rain would help the crops.

Schoper advised gardeners to pay close attention to low temperatures in the coming weeks and cover their plants at night if lows get into the 30s.

This week's forecast looks better. Tuesday highs will be in the low 80s with a 40 percent change of thunderstorms. Ditto for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Nightly lows will be 60 to 65.