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Crop, property damage reported after hailstorm

By Charles Crane - Staff Writer | Jul 20, 2024

Some hailstones recovered after the hail weather event are measured on a ruler. Pierce County NDSU Extension Agent Brenden Klebe said the hail varied in size from .5-2.5 inches.

A wide swath of Pierce County and the surrounding region was affected by a hailstorm last weekend, which NDSU Extension Agent Brenden Klebe said impacted crops from Westhope to areas south of Rugby.

“I’ve seen more and more pictures of crops affected and hearing from different people. It wasn’t needed this time of year. It’s never needed, but it definitely did a good number on some,” Klebe said.

Klebe said a few crops like sunflowers, soybeans and canola were hit hard during the storm, but have a chance to rebound and recover before harvest. However, fields with wheat, barley and other small grains are likely a total loss, according to Klebe.

“Those ones are all done now. Anything that’s been knocked off is a total loss there. I’ve seen some fields that are completely flattened with nothing left on them,” Klebe said.

Klebe thought it was possible for the affected fields to be replaced with hay, but that producers should be careful due to nitrates and other concerns. Klebe has been receiving calls indicating the hail varied in size from .5-2.5 inches, causing damage not only to crops but also causing broken windows and the siding of buildings. While yields are expected to be diminished at harvest time, Klebe said crop insurance should help producers withstand the blow.

“There’ll be a little bit of relief there at least. We won’t be getting a full yield and having fun in the combine, but at least most guys do crop insurance and different things like that to make things easier. But it’s definitely not very fun seeing it growing all year to see it wiped out in the matter of two hours or so,” Klebe said.

The hailstorm came after a week of high temps that Klebe said was welcome as Pierce County was about 140 growing degree days behind the five-year average.

“With the heat the corn and soybeans were finally finding their stride, and then this happens. It hasn’t been a crazy hot summer that keeps the A/C’s going, but there are a few crops that could use the heat to get going a bit more for sure,” Klebe said.