In early April, farmers took advantage of the warm weather by getting a jump start on the 2023 planting season. Monmouth farmer Jared Kunkle said that even though there has been frost since he started planting, he’s seen minimal damage to his crop.
“We knew it was early so we put a little bit extra down population-wise so no, that’s all coming up looking good,” said Kunkle. “And like I said that 1% would even be high on that. We had minimal minimal damage.”
Kunkle said that temperature, rather than ground conditions have been the biggest hurdle he has faced this planting season. During the month of April, Monmouth saw temperatures dip as low as 24 degrees.
“For the most part. It’s just been the temperatures which are why I’ve held off planting,” said Kunkle. “I think this week, will be a big week for a lot just because the temperature is trending warmer on the 10 to 14-day [forecast] so that’s a good thing and I have corn out of the ground and beans out of the ground. So I hope for the best.”
Kunkle wrapped up planting on Tuesday, May 2nd.