The cold temperatures limited fieldwork across the Northern Plains, but early planted small grains appear to be handling the weather well. During Tuesday’s Crop Watch broadcast, University of Minnesota Extension Small Grains Specialist Jochum Wiersma said the early seeded small grains are showing good emergence and resilience despite freezing overnight temperatures. “The soil temperatures did get below freezing, but it didn’t hurt the seed at all,” said Wiersma. “Everything that’s been seeded last week is perfectly fine as far as small grains are concerned.” Wiersma. who is based at the Northwest Research and Outreach Center at Crookston, said the wind could become a concern in some areas, raising the risk of erosion and possible replant issues.
