Finally, good harvest weather
MnDOT pays for standing rowsBy Fritz Busch — Staff Writer
Article Photos
BROWN COUNTY - Finally being able to take advantage of warmer, dry weather this week, farmers got in their combines, tractors and trucks to harvest Minnesota's largest corn crop in history.
With a little luck, the weather will hold for about a week.
The National Weather Service forecast daytime highs in the 50s with mostly dry weather at least until through next Friday.
University of Minnesota Extension Educator Gary Hachfeld of Watonwan County advised farmers to open insurance claims with their agents if they suspect mold in their corn.
"Adjusters need to verify whether or not Aflotoxin mold is present. If it is verified by an adjuster, a quality adjustment will be made and a claim is paid to the farmer based on the loss," Hachfeld wrote in his news column.
Hachfeld recommended farmers proceed with harvest regardless of the moisture content.
He added that waiting a few days could increase mold potential.
Brown and Nicollet County Extension Educator Wayne Schoper said many corn yields have been more than 200 bushels per acre this fall.
Moisture has been as high as 30 percent for many growers.
"As usual for this time of year, prices are up a bit. Drying corn will add costs and make it less profitable, but it has to be done," Schoper said. "Most guys should have good forward contracts."
Minnesota farmers willing to leave a few corn rows standing this winter could earn more money than if they harvested the corn and sold it plus help winter driving conditions.
As they have in past years, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) will pay farmers $1.50 more per bushel than the current price if they leave 16 rows of corn about 200 feet from highways.
Current bushel prices are determined by using the average of three local rates.
Living Snow Fence Case Studies have been done by MnDOT near State Highway 22, just north of Gaylord.
A twin-row planting of honeysuckle protected a 400-foot section of U.S. Highway 14 west of Lamberton, near the University of Minnesota Southwest Research and Outreach Center.
Snow drifts along State Highway 30, 10 miles west of Darfur in Cottonwood County were managed by a 2000-foot linear planting of honeysuckle, set back 300 feet from the north side of the highway.
This year, the highway department is looking for more farmers this year with fields in the north and west sides of state highways and interstates where snow drifts.
Snow fences help improve driver visibility, reduce accidents, the need for snow plowing and decrease the chance of ice forming.
Farmers must sign a contract with MnDOT this fall.
Corn stalks are checked on March 31 by MnDOT. If the corn is left as it should be, farmers get checks in early April.
Farmers can also handpick the corn if stalks are left in good condition, or they can harvest the corn in spring.
A MnDOT study showed that there is a $17 return for every program dollar spent.
The Standing Corn Program requires a one-year contract.
The Living Snow Fence Program is an extended 15-year option. MnDOT works with farmers to create permanent fences made of trees and shrubbery.
Anyone interested in the program can call the Mankato MnDOT office at 1-800-657-3747 or the Windom office at 1-800-804-3295.
For more information, visit www.dot.state.mn.us
Fritz Busch can be e-mailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.
