Rick Swenson, corn product manager at Peterson Farms Seed, stated on 2026-09-01 that corn yield potential varies widely across South Dakota and Minnesota. ^[1] Murad Ellafi stated that preliminary data shows strip-till reduced nitrogen availability by 50% towards the end of the growing season compared to conventional tillage. ^[2] The National Weather Service forecasted that the most active weather pattern would occur on Thursday, September 3, and Friday, September 4, 2026, between the Upper Midwest, the upper Ohio Valley, and parts of the Mid-Atlantic. ^[3] The National Weather Service warned that severe weather risks persist in Texas and other US regions following the degradation of Tropical Depression Edouard to a tropical depression. ^[4] The Red River Valley of North Dakota and Minnesota, extending to the Upper Midwest, is expected to face strong to severe storms, particularly in the late afternoon and evening, with large hail potentially exceeding 2 inches and wind gusts over 75 mph. ^[5] The Weather Channel reported that by Friday, September 4, the threat of strong storms would shift south and east, focusing on sectors of southern Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina. ^[6] Rick Swenson said on 2026-09-01 that extremely dry conditions have zeroed out some North Dakota corn fields, even in the typically productive Red River Valley. ^[7] Rick Swenson stated on 2026-09-01 that corn conditions in Minnesota are spotty, with some locations ahead of normal but most behind. ^[8] Rick Swenson stated on 2026-09-01 that there should be above-average corn yields in South Dakota and Minnesota. ^[9] Murad Ellafi said that yields were not significantly impacted between the two practices according to preliminary data. ^[10] Murad Ellafi, a post-doctorate research associate at the University of Minnesota, stated that strip-tilling is becoming a more popular conservation method for sugarbeet growers. ^[11]