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Frost injury concerns for corn in Upper Midwest

An extension specialist says below-freezing temperatures over the weekend have caused frost injury to corn across the Upper Midwest.

Jeff Coulter with the University of Minnesota tells Brownfield the best thing farmers can do is wait a few days before assessing the damage.

“We want to be digging up some seedlings and looking at the growing point.  And the growing point on corn right now is about 3/4 of an inch below the soil surface.  We want to make sure that (the growing point) is intact; that it’s white to cream in color; that it’s firm.”

He says if everything looks ok, the corn plant should grow back with minimal impact on yield.

However, certain situations may require special considerations.

“For example, low lying areas that may have had colder temperatures for longer periods of time.  Or field areas that had cloddy or crumbly soil near the top where air could penetrate a little bit.”

In those conditions, the top part of the soil can freeze with the growing point still in it, meaning the plant will likely die.

For farmers who will need to replant, Coulter says there is still good yield potential for corn planted in mid-May.