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Wet summer having mixed impact on central Minnesota crops

A central Minnesota farmer says frequent rain this summer has had a mixed impact on crops.

John Mages farms in Stearns County.

“Our area has had quite a bit of rainfall, so on the heavier soils there is a little bit of nitrogen deficiency (and) things like that. But as you go on kind of the bonanza valley area around Belgrade (and) Brooten in the lighter soils, everything looks really excellent.”

He tells Brownfield scouting continues for late season pests.

“As far as the soybean aphids go, we haven’t really found any. Just a couple here and there, so I think we’re far enough along I don’t think they’ll be an issue. The corn is standing pretty well, there’s a few rootworm moths flying around. But things are looking okay.”

Mages says some lodging has occurred in corn because of recent storms that brought high winds.