News

Winter storm could hinder crop progress in upper Midwest

A winter-like storm set to hit the northern plains and upper Midwest could negatively impact progress and yields of late maturing crops.

USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey tells Brownfield the storm will bring a variety of winter weather through Saturday.

 “We are looking at a protracted period of cold, snow and wind across roughly a five-state area including Montana, Wyoming, western Nebraska and the Dakotas.”

Rippey says some areas could get more than a foot of snow and a wider area will experience a freeze.

“From the northern Texas panhandle to around Lake Michigan, everything north and west of that point will likely see and growing season ending freeze during the upcoming weekend.”

He says the corn crop will be impacted the most adding that fields in the dented stage should survive the storm, but could take a yield hit.

“The later developing crops will need a lot of time to dry down post-storm or possibly will require mechanical means and propane to dry it down.”

Rippey says soybeans, sugar beets, sunflowers and what is left of the spring wheat crop will also be affected.

Interview with Brad Rippey