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Frost and freeze impacts during harvest

An AgriGold agronomist says heavy frost and freeze warnings could reduce yield across the state.

Steven Heightchew is based in southern Indiana.

“Usually at a quarter milk line, you’re looking at anywhere from a one to five or six percent yield loss,” he says. “Frost will kill the tissue that it’s on, but it won’t necessarily kill the entire plant.”

He tells Brownfield…

“When we shift over to a freeze and we completely shut that plant down, if it’s at that same time period at a quarter milk line, now you’re looking at a 10% or more yield loss,” he says.

Heightchew says soybeans could also be impacted.

“We could see some shriveled up beans,” he says. “In those later growth stages they have already turned brown and haven’t haven’t dried completely. They can actually shrivel up. I expect to hear some reports of some damages and dockings at the elevator this fall for soybeans.”

Temperatures are expected to hit evening lows into the low 30s across much of Central Indiana over the next several days.

AUDIO: Steven Heightchew, AgriGold