In a La Nina spring, there can be cooler-than-usual temperatures. USDA Midwest Climate Hub Director Dennis Todey says that’s been true this year. “We have been very cold the last 30 days. Temperatures are below average in Minnesota, with most temperatures four-to-six degrees below average. Parts of western Minnesota into North Dakota have been even colder at six- to-ten degrees below average.” Cool temps and cloud coverage keeps the soil from drying out, slowing planting progress. “It’s been a problem not only in Minnesota, but all across the Midwest. The other situation is the delayed corn planting is the second lowest percent corn planted at this point behind 2013 (based on data starting from 2000).” Todey was part of the University of Minnesota Extension’s Strategic Farming: Field Note series.
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