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Years like this, when corn-planting progress is ahead of normal and we get really optimistic about it, frost raises its ugly head. In the NW corner of Iowa, about a third of the years will include a frost in May. About ten percent of the time it is after May 10. Watching the recovery of emerged corn plants is not a new phenomenon, but it still looks ugly. What should you do when this happens? Wait a few days, eliminate emotion, and evaluate regrowth. Sometimes looking at what has happened in the past gives us insight into what might happen now.

Friday and Saturday night will have cold temperatures reach into northern Iowa and maybe even southern Iowa. Below is a National Weather Service low temperature prediction (https://digital.weather.gov) for Saturday, May 9. Notice that north of Interstate 80 has some risk potential for temperatures falling below freezing. Keep in mind is that dew point temperature are several degrees lower. I point this out because in low lying area or areas with no wind, air temperature could be slightly lower.

How late can you make the last cutting of alfalfa? Do you cut now or wait until a killing frost? This ICM Blog will provide some guidelines to help you determine when you should make that last cutting and other management considerations when taking the last cutting for the year.

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