Wisconsin Ag Connection - Specialist: Thursday's Frost Will End Growing Season for Many

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Specialist: Thursday's Frost Will End Growing Season for Many
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 09/16/2011

The early frost that hit many parts of northern Wisconsin on Thursday will put an end to the growing season for producers in those areas. That's according to University of Wisconsin-Extension Corn Agronomy Specialist Dr. Joe Lauer, who said temperatures in the region ranged from 25 to 32 degrees during the overnight hours.

"Corn is killed when temperatures are near 32 degrees for a few hours, and when temperatures are near 28 degrees for a few minutes," Dr. Lauer said in a memo. "A damaging frost can occur when temperatures are slightly above 32 degrees and conditions are optimum for rapid heat loss from the leaves to the atmosphere, such as clear skies, low humidity, and no wind."

He says symptoms of frost damage will start to show up about one to two days after a frost. Frost symptoms are water soaked leaves that eventually turn brown.

"Because it is difficult to distinguish living from dead tissue immediately after a frost event, the assessment should be delayed five to seven days," Lauer noted. "For fields that only had light frost damage, it is too early to harvest. Growing conditions may improve during September allowing the crop to mature and produce reasonable grain and silage yields. For fields that were harder hit by frost, farmers will need to manage frost damaged corn silage and grain."

Lauer and Soybean Specialist Shawn Conley have posted more information about managing corn and soybeans in response to frost/freeze on immature plants online.

For more information about crop resources, call 715-232-1636.

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