FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 22, 2024
Contact: Laura Vsetecka, laurav@renovoseed.com
(BROOKINGS, SD, July 22, 2024) – Fierce storms left wide swaths of Nebraska with devastating crop damage this month. Pockets were smashed by winds that blew at 70 mph and golf-ball sized hail. With many acres damaged beyond repair, next steps should be carefully calculated at this point in the growing season. Matt Metzger, Sales Account Manager with Renovo Seed, urges farmers and ranchers to evaluate their options, keep their eyes on the future, and think outside the box.
“The main thing farmers and ranchers with hail damage should think about right now is A) will my crop recover, and B) if not, how do I keep my fields from becoming a perpetual weed bed? We want to make sure something is covering the ground, because if you leave it open, weeds will take over,” shares Metzger.
Although it is too late to replant corn or soybeans, there are many crop options with plenty of time still left in the planting window. Metzger explains that whether you need to produce forage will determine what seed you put in the ground.
“If you don’t need forage for livestock, your next step can be seeding a small grain, like wheat. We have a cover crop wheat, or we have certified wheat. The other option is to go with a brassica to stabilize your soil, break up compaction, and prevent weeds,” he explains.
As for wheat, Metzger recommends a certified variety of AgriPro® or WestBred® hard red winter wheat – both available from Renovo Seed. Millborn is your local Nebraska wheat provider, with wheat production facilities in Hemingford and Imperial.
“Wheat production was really smooth this year, and the quality of certified wheat seed is exceptional. If your corn or beans were hailed out, instead of just cutting your losses, consider planting hard red winter wheat to recover some of that income you were expecting from your crops,” he shares.
On acres where you need to maintain forage output for livestock, Renovo Seed’s Team Agronomist, Alex Guttormsson advises that millet is your best option for a hay crop in the late-summer months.
“The best option to produce hay in a short amount of time is German or White Wonder millet. These foxtail-type millets will reach about three feet in height, and they give a reliable source of dry hay with good quality and tonnage.”
Ultimately, Metzger and Guttormsson encourage farmers and ranchers to focus on setting themselves up for success in the years ahead.
“We know damage like this is discouraging, but there are still plenty of options for your fields. Don’t just leave acres open for the weeds. Plant something now, and I promise you’ll thank yourself in the years ahead,” says Guttormsson.
To learn more about Renovo Seed’s options for damaged crop acres, call 308.708.7574 or visit www.renovoseed.com.
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About Renovo Seed
Renovo Seed is a visionary in the seed industry, focusing on positive land use solutions. Backed by Millborn’s powerful supply chain, Renovo Seed works to improve the resiliency of the land for generations to come with a robust seed lineup and unmatched team of experts who design practical, tailored solutions for farmers, ranchers, and landowners. For more information, visit RenovoSeed.com.
About Millborn
With high-quality seed products, a unique, vertically integrated supply chain, and a team of experts who understand the industry, Millborn is the single source for agriculture, conservation, reclamation, and commercial seed needs. For more information, visit MillbornSeeds.com.
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