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Time runs out on Minnesota strip-till farmer

In seven years of strip-till, a southwest Minnesota farmer says this will be the first time he won’t finish building strips in the fall.

Bryan Biegler of Lake Wilson tells Brownfield a lot of fieldwork will be pushed to next spring because of a late harvest.

“I’m going to have to talk to some people that have done it before, and I’ve got some ideas of what we’re going to be doing.  But it’s going to take a little bit different equipment setup from what I have right now.”

Biegler stopped putting in strips last week when clumps of dirt kept emerging while his tractor struggled to maintain traction.

He’s not optimistic conditions will turn around before winter sets in.

“By the middle of the week I’ll know for sure, but it’s looking like by Wednesday we’ll probably be washing everything up and getting it tucked away for the winter.”

Despite low 40’s forecast later in the week, Biegler says he doubts the ground will thaw enough because of snow cover.