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#Grow18 anything but smooth for many farmers in southern Minnesota

Many farmers across southern Minnesota will lament the 2018 growing season.

Wyffels Hybrids marketing manager Mitch Heisler tells Brownfield it’s been a very challenging year.

“We kind of went straight from winter to summer it seemed like.  We had a record cold April and almost a record hot May and June, and that’s kind of when the wet season started.  Then the rain kind of turned off for a little bit in the summer, and unfortunately it’s come back in a big way during the fall as we try to get through harvest.”

He says there are takeaways from every crop.

“What were some of the challenges we faced?  Whether that be pest pressure or harvest timing.  Stalk quality, insect pressure.  Then it’s how can we better mitigate our risk going into 2019.”

Heisler points out farmers can’t control the weather, but there are decisions to be made that will help set them up for success.