Frost injury occurred Saturday May 29 across much of the area. Radiational frost occurs when leaf temperatures actually reach lower temperatures than nearby recorded air temperatures.
Frost has occurred
- along field edges - especially corn fields
- low areas
What a difference the year makes! According to the May 11th USDA Crop Progress Report, 91% of the expected corn crop and 71% of the expected soybean crop has been planted, which is nearly a month ahead of last year’s planting pace and two weeks ahead of the five-year average. The big news for this last week was the colder temperatures over the weekend and frost injury concerns to emerged crops and forages.
Although most crop fields have not reached the stage for regularly planned POST herbicide applications, there likely are situations where people would like to get weeds controlled prior to the rain forecast later this week. The question is what impact will this weekend’s frost have on herbicide performance.
I've had several questions on how long to wait following the frost event this past weekend before making a postemergence application. The answer depends on several factors, including 1) stage of corn at frost injury, 2) vigor of corn at time of frost, 3) weather following the frost, and 4) margin of crop safety with herbicides being applied.
