Drought conditions have lessened a bit in portions of North Dakota thanks to some rain, but frigid temperatures late last week and into the weekend also took its toll on crops across the upper Midwest.
Frost and freezing conditions to close out May left its mark on fields. Sarah Lovas, an agronomist in North Dakota, showed the variability of damage in any given field. While some soybeans were killed by the frost, other plants just popping out of the ground look to be spared.
There is some #frost damage in the #soybean near Hillsboro. Patchy though so far. pic.twitter.com/9HqtATRsI4
— Sarah Hall Lovas, CCA (@SarahLovas1) May 28, 2021
Drew Lerner with World Weather says temperatures recorded Thursday into Friday showed some places saw temperatures dip into the 30’s, but other areas only saw highs in the upper 20’s. Those conditions could cause some damage to crops that have emerged. Lerner pointed out it’s not just corn and soybeans at risk but canola, sugarbeets dry beans produced in North Dakota were also most likely impacted.
Getting texts about post spraying of corn after frost on 5/28. If corn experienced stress from cold temps,wait 3-4 days or until those plants show sign of growth to not add stress to those plants. Weeds are also under stress & won’t respond to the herbicide. #ISUCrops pic.twitter.com/yzjv4AiRlh
— ISU NC Crops (@nciacrops) May 31, 2021
North Dakota wasn’t the only state to see cold temperatures. The frigid air also hit states like Iowa and Minnesota.
Angie Rieck-Hinz, Iowa State University extension agronomist posted on Twitter after receiving inquiries about spraying corn after the frost. She suggested farmers wait three to four days and the plants show signs of growth, otherwise, the plants could see further stress.
