Cold soil temperatures are slowing germination and emergence for sugarbeets. At the same time, Extension Sugarbeet Agronomist Tom Peters says the cold temperatures are also slowing weeds. “Last year by this time we were all excited about waterhemp. I haven’t found anyone in North Dakota or Minnesota that’s seen waterhemp yet. I think it’s the environmental conditions and how different they are from last year. The only weeds I’m seeing are kochia and lambsquarters.” For those still planting, Peters advises farmers not to plant deeper than normal. “I’m afraid if we put the seed deeper into the soil and it stays dry, we could lose that moisture. If we run out of water once we start germination, that’s a bad situation. Put seeds where you normally do and wait for the rain.”
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