by Janet Hansen
Despite the flooding and the lack of warmth and sunshine this spring, Ransom County crops are reportedly doing very well.
Brian Zimprich, Ransom County Extension Agent, states that, since the warm weather of the past couple weeks, most of the county’s crops are catching up and are looking great. “I haven’t seen many fields in the western portion of the county,” he said. “But, from what I’ve heard from farmers in that area, things are looking very good.”
“I would say that the eastern portion of the county, from the Sheldon area to north of Milnor, has been the hardest hit,” added Zimprich. He went on to explain that the high water table in that area, coupled with recent heavy rains, has some of the crops in that area standing in water. Zimprich, who lives north of Milnor, has recorded six inches of rainfall at his farmstead between June 15 and June 27.
He commented that if the weather stays warm and the winds continue, things will dry out and the crops, even in the wettest portions of the county, will most likely be able to recover.
When asked if disease is a factor, since conditions have been so cool and wet, Zimprich stated that he had not, as yet, received any reports of diseased crops. However, he added that he would not be surprised if there is some scab in the county. “The weather conditions have been perfect for scab this spring,” he said.
No statistics were available for acreage left unplanted. Zimprich stated that he had heard from an extension agent in another North Dakota county that they were seeing more preventative planting than in many years past. He stated that he knew of some Ransom County farmers who are still planting. “We are just about reaching the cut-off time,” he said. “Most years, if farmers can get soybeans in by around July 1 those crops, particularly soybeans, should be able to mature by the end of the growing season with no problem.”
“Most of the county has corn which is looking good and soybeans which are starting to come. The wheat fields are looking great,” Zimprich stated. “Up until the most recent heavy rains we have been receiving nice rains at the right times. Now, if the warmer weather and accompanying winds continue, things should recover. Then, if we can continue to get some half-inch to inch rains at decent intervals, the crops should do very well.”
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