WASECA, Minn. — For the first time this fall, one week passed in southern Minnesota without rainfall.
That's according to the Oct. 30 weekly crop and weather Update from the Southern Research and Outreach Center in Waseca. It's the final update by the extension program for the crop season.
"For weeks we have been asking for dry weather and it has finally arrived," said the report.
The report states that dry air settling in over the southern part of the state made for very cold average temperatures of about 34 degrees last week. That's 9 degrees colder than normal, and average soil temperatures at the 6-inch depth were nearly 5 degrees colder than normal. The closing of October last year was also dry, but with warmer temperatures.
The fair conditions gave southern Minnesota farmers a boost in getting through a very trying harvest.
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"Soybean harvest is near complete and corn harvest is in full swing," the report says.
With soil temperatures below 50 degrees the report said application of nitrogen fertilizers can begin where the practice is acceptable. With its Karst geology, application of fertilizer is not recommended in southeast Minnesota.
Order expands access for farmers moving fuel
Gov. Tim Walz issued an executive order on Wednesday declaring an emergency and lifting regulations on drivers to relieve some of the strain on farmers throughout Minnesota having a difficult harvest season.
Walz issued the order 19-36 a day after he was asked about it at a meeting in East Grand Forks with farmers and ag leaders. The move will lift restrictions on drivers and carriers transporting propane and liquid fuels.
"The recent wet weather has only exacerbated these challenges to create the unprecedented crisis we now face, with crops sitting unharvested in soaked fields and truckloads of product that can’t be brought to market," said Walz. "To our farmers: I am listening. This Executive Order will help farms get the fuel they need, and our team will continue to look into actions we can take to support our agricultural industry through these catastrophic conditions."
Wet conditions have prevented harvesting and damaged crops this year, slowing the processing and transportation of crops and causing economic concerns for farmers.
High moisture content of crops have increased the demand for propane, which is used for drying. Access and capability to transport propane will be crucial for farmers looking to get back some yield from an unusually wet batch of crops.
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The order, good for 30 days, went into effect immediately.
