With the warm, dry conditions, University of Minnesota Extension Small Grains Specialist Jochum Wiersma says Minnesota farmers are already seeding small grains. “The biggest thing after the soil conditions are ready is for farmers to get good seed to soil contact. It looks dry right now and the challenge will be to get seeds into moisture, but not seeded too deep. An inch and a half is ideal for wheat and barley. Farmers are putting seed at a disadvantage when they seed it too deep.” With a greater chance of moisture later on this week, Wiersma is hopeful the wheat can take advantage. “Ideally, what we’d like is to get the crop up early and add rain. Anything farmers can do to conserve moisture will help with stand establishment.”
