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Rain slows down corn harvest in Minnesota

An extension specialist says while recent rains will slow down the remaining corn harvest, he is not overly concerned.

Jeff Coulter with the University of Minnesota tells Brownfield the forecast is calling for beneficial warmth and wind this weekend.

“I’m optimistic that a lot of these fields will be (suitable) to get back out there sometime next week.”

He says issues like stalk lodging seem to be isolated this fall.

“One of the good things was that we didn’t have a lot of stress on the crop late in the season, and in general the stalks are holding up pretty good.”

The latest crop progress report shows corn harvest at 55 percent complete as of Sunday, and Coulter says there is no reason to rush back into the field.

“These machines are really heavy, and when you get a hopper full of grain on top of a big combine, that’s a lot of weight.  So think carefully about (preventing compaction) and be practical.  We’ve got quite a bit of time left.”

Coulter says despite numerous weather challenges this season, corn yields have been above-average statewide.