Ag Weather Forum

The latest state crop reports show rapid planting of the corn crop in the major producing states of Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois. Planting is also well ahead of normal and near completion in Missouri. Planting progress elsewhere in the Midwest is running at or behind normal.

Soybean planting progress distribution is similar to corn in terms of what states are ahead and those that are behind. A turn to cool, wet weather this week will slow planting progress. Given the strong planting numbers there is not much concern about this development at this time.

Cold weather may become a problem this weekend in the Upper Midwest as some newly-emerged corn could be burnt back or possibly have to be replanted due to freezing temperatures.

Conditions in the Southern Plains winter wheat areas are nearly ideal for heading and filling wheat with episodes of rain and cool temperatures. Heading progress in Kansas is running well ahead of normal. Topsoil moisture conditions in Kansas are about as good as you will see for this time of the year, only running at 8 percent short to very short.

Spring wheat planting in the Northern Plains is running well ahead of normal, as is corn planting in North Dakota. This is due to a rather dry pattern with North Dakota reporting the need for more moisture to support crop germination. Rainfall this week has been on the light side in most areas.

The soft wheat crop in the Delta is basically in the filling and maturing stages of development. With the prospects for continued wet weather there is increasing concern that disease issues will increase.

Mike Palmerino

(BA/AG)

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