Southern Research and Outreach Center

MINNESOTA-Despite some recent rainfall, it hasn't been enough, meaning that farmers in the southeastern part of the state still have to deal with the drought conditions. I spoke with Tom Hoverstad, a scientist from the Southern Research and Outreach Center over in Waseca, about this topic. He said that most corn and soybean crops in southeastern Minnesota are close to maturity. That means that any rain those crops get between now and harvest season won't help at all. He said that corn and soybean farmers would like to get some rain after their harvests, though. That's because farmers hope the moisture will freeze in the ground once it gets colder. Once it warms up again in the spring, growers will hopefully be able to use that thawed moisture for planting.

MANKATO — Drought conditions continue to incrementally grow worse in the Greater Mankato region and across the state.

Tom Hoverstad, a scientist at the University of Minnesota Southern Research and Outreach Center in Waseca, said progress has been good in his area.