Minnesota farmers are back in the fields a little earlier this year than last year when the state dealt with widespread flooding. However, this year farmers are facing a different challenge in the form of COVID-19.
"I think there's a certain amount of dealing with logistics for farmers right now," said David Nicolai, an Extension educator in crops with the University of Minnesota. "Farmers are having to do more social distancing when going to get the things they need for spring planting and fieldwork."
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The latest Crop Progress and Condition report from the USDA shows barley, oats, potatoes, and sugar beets are already being planted in Minnesota.
Despite the physical distancing guidelines brought on by COVID-19, Nicolai says farmers are able to adjust due to the type of work this time of year.
"There are concerns about demand, but I think growers are just naturally practicing social distancing," he said. "COVID-19 is more of a people concern than it is a supply concern. The supply produced by farmers is safe to eat and that's one of the main things we need to stress."
"Obviously we're impacted by the closure of some of the processing plants," he said. "There are some plants across the United States than can still process, but I think they will hold onto their hogs a little longer. It's still to be determined what impact COVID-19 truly has on the livestock markets."
Nicolai believes grain markets will certainly feel the impact.