By Kevin Zimmermann
Damaging thunderstorms that pounded areas in east-central Wisconsin over the past month have had their effect on field crops, but it could have been worse.
UW-Wisconsin Extension Crop Specialists Steve Hoffman and Doug Hinz told WHBL news that hail events in mid-June were quite localized and not severe with only minimal effects. The hailstorm on July 2nd, though, is expected to result in significant, but not severe loss, as even though the hail along the Highway 23 corridor was up to golf ball size, corn and soybeans were taller by then. Both the June and July storms caused damage to corn leaves, but much of that corn has been growing out of it, while winter wheat may have a different outcome as some heads were clipped, making harvesting them impossible.
Soybeans are being impacted by a slow start this spring, and the Abnormally Dry soil conditions are only compounding the stress that may result in a low yield this fall.
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