Concerns remain on the status of corn and soybeans in the Northern Plains. South Dakota State University Extension State Climatologist Laura Edwards says corn harvest is slow moving in South Dakota and early reports have low test weights. “Even if the cob had a lot of kernels, they’re small. That could be one issue with the recent frost and freeze we had,” says Edwards. “With long duration moisture in fields, there are also some stems tipping down causing harvest difficulties. I’ve also heard this in sunflowers. High winds can blow the crop down.” USDA Midwest Climate Hub Director Dennis Todey says this year’s harvest is very similar to 2009. “What we’re having to do for harvest is wait until the soil freezes so it’s solid enough for equipment. In 2009, there was a decent amount of corn not harvested until spring,” says Todey. “Sometimes we won’t know what we have for a crop until spring.”
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