Southeastern North Dakota corn crop keeping steady, despite late planting

WYNDMERE, N.D. — Regardless of the curveballs Mom Nature threw at farmers within the area earlier this 12 months, Carson Klosterman is general happy with the standing of his corn crop.

Klosterman farms in Wyndmere, North Dakota, the place he raises soybeans, sugarbeets and corn. Like many producers within the space, his planting season bought off to a late begin as a result of heavy rainfalls that made themselves current within the spring months, together with the heavy moisture the winter introduced on as effectively.

“Proper across the Wyndmere space, issues look fairly good contemplating what we have been by this 12 months,” mentioned Klosterman, secretary and treasurer of the North Dakota Corn Council. “We have seen all of it this 12 months from late begin with cool climate, moist snow to an enormous rain in might which affected the sooner planting stuff from some ponding and a few replant occurred.”

A few of Klosterman’s fields suffered from ponding and needed to be replanted as a result of persistent rainfall. However these replanted acres didn’t endure as a lot as he anticipated due to the fixed warmth this summer season and the plethora of rising diploma days that allowed the late-planted corn to catch up. Nonetheless, whereas rain was ever-present throughout planting season, Klosterman mentioned his acres might use some rainfall at this level within the rising season.

“Now right here we’re, the center of August and the grain is filling and we might use some good rains to assist fill all of the crops,” he mentioned. “All people statewide, I believe, might use a drink.”

Weeds had been an ever-present problem for Klosterman this season and he additionally had hassle with pests attending to his crop as effectively. He worries that they might be a fair greater downside subsequent 12 months.

“There have been extra rootworm beetles and such. Subsequent 12 months is perhaps a bit fascinating with the overwintering bugs for corn,” he mentioned.

Klosterman predicts harvest can be proper across the identical time as a typical 12 months and is looking forward to an honest yield and harvest; he estimated a 150-175 bushel per acre for his corn crop this 12 months. In a perfect world, he hopes his corn acres get regular rainfall till the mix begins rolling, however he’ll be pleased with something he can get.

“Up and down the valley it’s form of dry,” Klosterman mentioned. “Moisture within the soil simply helps the whole lot.”