Moisture at a premium for southeast Minnesota farmer

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Moisture at a premium for southeast Minnesota farmer

Moisture is at a premium for many farmers in the Upper Midwest.

Keith Schrader, who grows corn and soybeans near Nerstand in southeast Minnesota, says the most recent rain event brought about four to eight tenths of an inch to half his land June 11th.

“A little rogue shower, and you never know when they’re coming through. So we were really happy for that. We had a lot of urea we had spread on the corn for side-dress and got some rain on that. But the farms that didn’t get it are showing a little more stress right now.”

He tells Brownfield one sign of stress is corn rolling up.

“Even though we’ve got subsoil moisture, I think it was more (because of) the heat. But things cool down toward the end of the day and it looks good. But we’re right on the edge here of really needing to get a rain.”

Schrader says on the bright side, the absence of moisture allowed for a smooth planting season and transition to spraying.

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