May 11, 2010

Bad weather to affect corn fields in North Iowa

North Iowa farmers will have to keep an eye on their fields this week with the recent frost and continual cold, wet weather.

John Holmes, Iowa State University Extension field agronomist, said "they need to watch for seedling disease. There have been some problems in some parts of the state due to cold weather."

"No major problems have been reported in the North Iowa area yet, except there is probably frost injury from over the weekend," Holmes said.

Most corn acres were emerged when the area experienced a frost Saturday (May 8) night. "Damaged corn acres would appear "burned" and dead above the surface," Holmes said.

"However, that doesn't mean the plant is dead," he said. "We're concerned about the growing point. That's right next to the seed, which right now is two inches deep."

The soil likely protected the growing point, which means corn acres will probably recover.

"Corn is very, very tough and it shouldn't kill it but you never know until it recovers," said Steve Anderegg, a Mason City-area farmer.

Farmers will have to wait until warmer weather to see if the corn recovers or if they'll need to replant. If farmers do need to replant it shouldn't be as problematic as in past years. "It is still very early in the season," Anderegg said. "Traditionally we're just wrapping up corn. Corn in this area, I'd say, is almost 100% planted," he added.

Warmer weather should arrive this weekend. It also includes a chance of rain through Thursday (May 13).