planting

Ohio planting is mostly complete.  There are scattered areas that still have soybeans to plant.  82% of the corn is rated good to excellent.  Corn is still being side-dressed though I would estimate that it is 80% complete.  All of the state received significant rainfall in the past week, with some areas receiving more than 5 inches.  Most farmers I talk to are very satisfied with their crop stands and

Crops are growing very well in the Plains East Region as of this date.  We have continued with roller coaster temperatures every few days.

The corn crop here in the west is progressing quite nicely.  Most of the crop is in the V6 to V7 stage while some of the later planted corn is V3 to V4.  The irrigated acres have really started to look very good now that we have gotten heat.  The dry land corn acres on the other hand are starting to go backwards.  Things to the west continue to be very dry and without a significant rain event

Planting is nearing completion for a cool and wet spring. This is the last week that corn was planted, mostly in southwestern Indiana where rain cycles have prevented field work.  It is among the latest plantings to the finish after catching up to the 5 year average of acres planted about two weeks ago. Most of the state was planted to corn by the end of May with very good emergence and plant stands. Soybean planting is almost complete but will carry on into next week. Use full season varieties adapted to your area for late plantings.

It seems strange to still be talking about planting progress in mid-June, but the weather just has not been very cooperative in our area.   Producers that farm in the loess soils have finished planting corn and are progressing rapidly with soybean planting.  These soils have good internal drainage, but they were also the driest in the state following the drought of 2012.  The soils that are in the glacial lobe and the more eroded soils in south have proved to be the biggest challenge in 2013.  They have poor internal drainage and this area has been plagued with r

This planting season seems like it will never end.  We have had more 3-5 inch rains this spring than I can ever remember.  Peoria set the record for most rain in the month of May.  Farmers are now in the process of working up soybean fields that have poor stands and replanting drowned out corn.

Cool and wet conditions have continued into the month of June across Minnesota and Wisconsin preventing large areas from completing planting. Many producers have shifted their focus from unplanted corn to planting soybeans; while others have already opted to take prevented planting payments for their unplanted acres. Dairy producers have continued to plant corn for high moisture and silage, as they are concerned about feed options, but weather conditions have limited progress.

The spring of 2013 has been one with many trials and tribulations.  Wet and cold conditions in too much of the Eastern and Central Corn Belt; while dry and cold conditions have dominated to the west.  Delayed planting across all regions.  When planters were able to get going, they were doing so in less than ideal soil conditions.  So, what does this all

It has been a busy few weeks here in the west.  With very few weather delays since the first of May a lot of acres have been planted.  Most of the region is setting at about 90% of the corn acres planted.  Southwest Missouri is still having issues with wet soil conditions but growers have put a pretty good run here the last few days.  For the most part our corn planting part of the season should rap towards the middle of next week.

Planting in Ohio is progressing faster than most other states.  I estimate close to 70% of corn in Ohio will be planted by Sunday.  Soybeans are getting a good start now, my best guess is more than 30%.  It seems that some fields are being pushed in a touch on the wet side.  See this LG Seeds article on soil conditions at planting: http://www.lgseeds.com/content/wet-weather-and-planting