Welcome to the inaugural episode of our periodic summer series, "Headland Highlights." These special brief and timely episodes will reside right within our normal MN CropCast feed. For these segments, Dave and Seth will be calling on folks from around the state to get real-time check-ins on the status of local field activities and crops.

Today, we are joined by Ryan Miller, who is an Extension Educator based in Rochester and works throughout Southeast Minnesota. We discuss the severe weather that visited the area on the evening of April 13th and get a firsthand update on planting progress in his region.

Episode Highlights:

• Severe Weather Impacts: Ryan confirms news reports of tennis-ball-sized hail and corresponding localized heavy rainfall events.
• Planting Progress: The region is off to a relatively slow start for row crop production. While most spring cereals were successfully planted during the very late March window, cooler temperatures, rain, and spring winds through the first two weeks of April have greatly slowed field activities.
• Field Work Status: There have been some tillage and fertilizer applications, but they are not widespread. Early row crop plantings are similarly scattered.

Please join us for this episode, and stay tuned for future MN CropCast: Headland Highlights for more regional crop check-ins.