Drought persisted through fall, leaving soil moisture short
A persistent drought that stretched from mid-summer to late fall left soils dry as the freeze-up set in.
Snow adds little water to the landscape.
Tom Hoverstad, a scientist at the University of Minnesota Southern Research and Outreach Center in Waseca, is hopeful spring will bring rains that replenish soil moisture.
Plan on 2023 being best crop ever, Minnesota scientist says looking at yields despite drought
Scientist at the SROC, Tom Hoverstad, announces the release of the 2022 variety trials and talks about 2023 management practices.
Researchers fight broccoli blight in Minnesota's fields
Charlie Rohwer pointed out black rot on a broccoli head harvested at the University of Minnesota Southern Research and Outreach Center in Waseca, Minn., earlier this month.
November Weather SROC Tom Hoverstad - KDHL AM 920
Tom Hoverstad Scientist at the Southern Research and Outreach Center at Waseca said November began very warm and dry. We did set some all time record highs the first part of November. Then the change came around the middle of the month to much colder and wetter.
Read More: [Listen} November Weather SROC Tom Hoverstad | https://kdhlradio.com/listen-november-weather-sroc-tom-hoverstad/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral
Farmers happy with fall harvest yields, crop prices
Nov. 24—AMBOY — With corn and soybeans safely in grain bins, fields tilled and resting for the winter, area farmers are looking back at a fall harvest that was better than many had expected.
"Right in this area, everybody was pleased with their yields," said Tom Hoverstad, a scientist at the University of Minnesota Southern Research and Outreach Center in Waseca.
Parched September-October setting records in Mankato region
Nov. 2—September was very dry and October nearly as parched, leading to some of the driest months on record.
"If we don't get much precipitation in November, we could have our driest fall ever. We've had several Novembers with no real precip," said Tom Hoverstad, scientist at the University of Minnesota Southern Research and Outreach Center in Waseca.
Meteorologist Brent Hewett from the National Weather Service forecast office in Chanhassen said the Mankato area has received 15 to 18 inches of rain or liquid equivalent in snow since the first of the year.
"We should be at 24 to 25 inches of liquid equivalent of rain, so you're 7-10 inches below normal for the year."
Researchers fight broccoli blight in Minnesota's fields
Black rot has been harming many of the state's broccoli crops as farmers face erratic weather patterns.
Drought conditions remain problematic
“It's a little dry out,” said Tom Hoverstad, scientist at the University of Minnesota's Southern Research and Outreach Center in Waseca.
Tom Hoverstad SROC August Weather - KDHL AM 920
Tom Hoverstad Scientist at the Southern research and Outreach Center at Waseca speaks about the previous month's weather.
It seemed this year the rainfall was very spotty or "hit and miss." It seemed storms would develop west of Waseca and follow Highway 14 to Owatonna, Rochester and then to southeastern Minnesota. For the growing season Tom said at Waseca they were only 1 inch below normal. However, over in Lamberton they were 5 inches below normal. Then in Northern Rice County I talked to a farmer that only received 2 inches of rain since the 1st of June!
High Fertilizer Prices Remain for Fall
Jeff Vetch, a nutrient management researcher at the Southern Research and Outreach Center in Waseca, said farmers are going to see prices roughly 40% to 45% higher than last year.