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Hail causing early season havoc for some farmers

A pair of agronomists say some farmers have seen hailstorms damage their newly emerged crops.

Lance Tarochione, who covers western Illinois with Dekalb / Asgrow, says that while the storms have brought needed rain, the early season damage adds another layer of stress.

“You can get seedling blights and other diseases that take advantage of a stressed plant.”  He says, “It’s certainly not ideal growing conditions.”

Matt Montgomery, agronomy education lead with Beck’s, says emerging soybeans are usually more susceptible to hail damage.

“Corn that growing point is below ground so it can really get shaved down to ground level and probably be okay.”  He says, “Beans are a lot more vulnerable if cut off to ground level. Then we’re talking about stand reduction because you’ve eliminated the growing point.”

AUDIO: Matt Montgomery – Beck’s Hybrids

Tarochione tells Brownfield farmers should give the crop a few days before making any replant decisions.

“It’s not as bad as it looks.”  He says, “It looks devastating, but as long as they can regrow, very little yield loss occurs at this stage of growth.”

Both say growers should work closely with their crop insurance adjuster to evaluate hail damage.

AUDIO: Lance Tarochione – Dekalb / Asgrow