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Cold winter brings some spring benefits

An agronomist with AgriGold says areas that saw extended cold spells this winter could see some benefits this spring.

Brian Weihmeir, who covers central Illinois, says colder winters help alleviate soil compaction.

“Because we get that frost deeper into the profile where we get that moisture to expand when it freezes.”  He says, “It creates more space in between soil particles to help alleviate that compaction and help roots grow down a little bit deeper.”

He tells Brownfield the cold can also lower disease and insect presence, but don’t assume the pressure is gone.  

“A lot of those diseases and insects that we battle are actually pretty resilient to the cold temperatures.”  He says, “It’s not necessarily wise to look at the cold temperatures and make any drastic changes on how you’re going to mitigate risk.”

Weihmeir says those risk management strategies could include seed selection, crop rotation and residue management.  

AUDIO: Brian Weihmeir – AgriGold agronomist