This summer, Extension spent time visiting with members of the Southwest Minnesota Farm Business Management Association across the region. These conversations offered a candid look at the current season—its ups, downs, and the decisions farmers are grappling with.
Here is a summary of what we heard.
Crop conditions are better than in recent years
In general, crops look better than they have in the past few seasons. Many reported a crop that performed above the trend line, which is a noticeable improvement after years of weather-related setbacks.
While not universal, the outlook for harvest is more positive than it has been in some time.
Weed control is still a battle
Weed pressure remains a significant issue, particularly in soybeans. Farmers noted that additional passes were necessa