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Hot and dry July takes toll on Minnesota corn

A southeast Minnesota farmer anticipates lower corn yields because of heat and dryness during pollination.

Rob Tate of Cannon Falls tells Brownfield there was little moisture and it was very hot in July.

“You can see a little bit of damage to the corn in terms of the pollination, although I do think some of that’s going to be made with the depths of the kernels and such.”

He says the crop is maturing rapidly.

“We’re getting close to having black layer on some of the varieties around here (and) know of some places where they’ve already started harvesting some corn for grain. A small amount, but it has been done.”

And the Minnesota Corn Growers Association board member says silage harvest is in full swing.