National Drought Mitigation Center
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National Drought Mitigation Center
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Crops stunted, hay production down in Mille Lacs County, Minnesota
8/2/2021 4:25:46 PM



CATEGORIES:
Agriculture
Plants & Wildlife
AFFECTED AREAS:
Mille Lacs County, MN

Start Date: 7/29/2021 -  
Drought was stunting the growth of corn and soybean plants. Small grains like wheat and barley had reduced yields, according to the county executive director. This being a critical time for corn and soybean reproduction, the crops need water and less stress from heat, or the yield potential can be lost. A grain grower west of Princeton expects a below average yield, ranging from maybe 100 or less up to 140 bushels per acre, depending on when the drought breaks. The quality may suffer anyway. Hay production was down. The first cutting was normal, but the second one was short. A dairy farmer near Onamia said his haylage harvest was down one-third, leading him to harvest hay from a swamp just to have something to feed his cattle, knowing that it will lack the proper nutrients for young cattle growth. Some were having to take cattle off of pasture, due to drought, and will have to begin feeding the livestock or sell some of the herd. Coon Rapids Union-Times (Minn.), July 29, 2021
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