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Late spring might be countered by late fall

An extension climatologist suggests a slow start to the growing season could be countered by a late harvest.

Adnan Akyuz with North Dakota State University says there’s a good chance of an El Nino this fall.

“And if that happens, usually in this part of the world El Nino falls are usually warmer than normal. So that might be something to look forward to maybe. We started late, and the El Nino might promise that it might finish late also.”

He tells Brownfield it seems like the growing season just shifted this year, but Akyuz recognizes the risk of planting this late.

“We are dealing with the insurance, and insurance companies would not insure the crops planted much later than what they would like to see. So farmers are unfortunately facing a gamble this season.”

He says the cooler and wetter than normal pattern is forecast to linger into August for much of the Midwest.  Akyuz is concerned crops will be short on Growing Degree Units even if there’s a late fall.