Early August rainfall could be a blessing for crops that were planted later than usual, area farmers and agronomists said this week.
The first week of August in southwest North Dakota — typically hot and dry — was defined by heavy rains, daily showers, early-morning fog and below-normal temperatures.
It’s not exactly the type of weather farmers like to see — at least in a normal year. But this has not been a normal growing year.
Continue reading “August rains could be good for late crops”
The same fields that were being harvested on this day last year are lusher today in most parts of southwest North Dakota, and most are just barely showing signs of ripening.
Despite late planting and below-average July temperatures — including one overnight when southwest North Dakota neared frost-like conditions — grain crops in the area look good and have producers anxiously hoping the weather cooperates for another three to four weeks until it’s ready to harvest.
“It’s the old, ‘You never know until it’s in the bin,’” Scranton Equity grain manager Mike Wedwick said. “But things look good.”
Dustin Monke 