News

Recent Midwest rain welcomed by farmers

An agronomist says the recent rain system that moved though the Midwest was a welcome sight. 

Bob Berkevich with Pioneer tells Brownfield parts of his southern Wisconsin territory had from half an inch to nearly three inches of rain, and although it’s too late to help corn and soybeans, it’s good for the summer-seeded alfalfa and fall seeded winter wheat and cover crops. “I know in some areas, some of those young seedlings, you know, they don’t have much of a root system developed quite yet so it’s harder for them to access moisture that might be deeper in the profile, so this good drink of water is certainly going to be a good thing for those younger crops.”

Berkevich says the rain will also help farmers who are having a difficult time with fall tillage. “I’ve heard a lot of comments from farmers about their points and shanks on some of their tillage equipment wearing out faster. It’s also taking more power, more diesel fuel to work the soil which certainly adds to the expense, so this rain is definitely very welcome to help soften up those soils.”

Berkevich says many farmers are doing some deep ripping to bust up compacted soils on headlands and where water collected earlier this year.