Ag Weather Forum

Going into late April, corn planting progress is running behind normal in most of the northwest Midwest, and is at or ahead of normal in the south and east.

Cool, unsettled weather in the northwest Midwest and Northern Plains has delayed early corn planting. Last week was the fourth-consecutive week of less than three days suitable for fieldwork in Minnesota. Meanwhile, the southern and eastern Midwest has seen a pick-up in planting due to warmer conditions and limited rainfall. Planting progress in Illinois and Missouri is now running ahead of normal. Wet conditions are expected across much of the Midwest during the next seven days along with mostly below normal temperatures in the west. Planting progress will remain slow in the northwest and will be disrupted in the south and east. A cold and unsettled pattern will maintain low soil temperatures in the Northern Plains, keeping corn planting slow. Spring wheat planting is also slow except in South Dakota.

Winter wheat in the Southern Plains continues to show improvement in ratings due to favorable moisture conditions. Heading progress is running ahead of normal. We are looking at an active rainfall pattern during the next seven days favoring the crop during the critical heading stage of development. However, there are also indications that cold conditions behind these rain events could cause some minor damage to heading wheat. The positive impact of rainfall far outweighs the negative impact of cold weather. However, the situation does bear watching.

Corn planting is complete in the Delta states. Crop development is good due to adequate soil moisture. Soybean planting is running well ahead of normal. Cotton planting is increasing.

(BA/ES)

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