Persistent cold temperatures created uncertainty for spring planting across northwest Minnesota as farmers weigh the risks of putting corn and soybeans into cold soils. Crookston-area farmer Kevin Capistran says wheat and sugarbeets are handling the cooler weather relatively well, but concerns are growing for row crops. “Everybody, I think, is really comfortable putting wheat into these situations; most of the beets will handle the temperatures,” Capistran said. “When you get to the corn and beans, though, which is where a lot of guys are up to, there’s a lot of head scratching about how warm it really needs to be to start putting in the ground.” He added that some corn already planted ahead of the cold snap could face problems. “I’m gonna be pretty concerned watching that pretty close.”
