Cold temperatures lingering across the Northern Plains are creating additional challenges for growers trying to establish crops this spring. BASF Technical Service Representative Dan Melaas says delayed emergence and uneven stands are becoming more common as repeated cold snaps slow plant development and raise questions about potential replant decisions. Melaas says patience remains important as growers evaluate fields and changing weather conditions. “Sometimes delayed planting can make a difference as far as getting that soil warmed up so that the crop does come out of the soil in a timely manner that way,” said Melaas. “Sometimes we already have that crop in the ground and we get these cold snaps where things cool off and it can cause issues with certain varieties or certain crops.” Melaas says seed treatments and fungicide applications may also help crops handle stress caused by cold and wet conditions early in the season. “Sometimes the fungicide application, whether you have it on the seed treatment or even early season crop can really help that make it through some of these cold conditions,” said Melaas. “Products like Revytek or Veltyma do a very good job of that.”
