Dave Anderson Laurel, Nebraska The producers here had a good week of planting this last week we would say they are 80% planted on corn and 60% on soy beans. The stormy weather is a concern - we should remind them to get their hail insurance. Ray Keiser Fordyce, Nebraska Nebraska Shawn Hastings Hastings, Nebraska As far as planting this year on the corn. I would say 95% of the corn is in the ground with 75% of it being out of the ground with good stands so far. We have gotten some good rains across central Nebraska and have some good sub moisture to start the year. So on a scale of 1 to 5. I would say we had 4.5/5.0 start. On the soybeans I would say we are 70% planted and they are just starting to come out of the ground so we can t tell on stands yet. But with moisture and good time for planting I would say we also say are 4.5 out of 5 start. Page 14 of 24
David McIntyre Waterloo, New York Oh what a difference a year makes! The rain doesn t want to stop. The growers I have talked with are looking at about 10% of the crop is planted. We have seen nothing out of the ground yet. Cold temps along with persistent rain is holding everything back. The coming week is forecasted to be warmer and that will help with the drying but in contrast to last year when we were looking at 85% planted at this time. Corn? Soybeans? Apples are in full bloom and look very good. Again the warmer temps will get the honey bees out and work the blossoms. Apples 4.5-5 New York Page 15 of 24
Brenda Poole Smithfield, North Carolina Things are looking a lot better here in the Carolina's compared to 2 weeks ago. We had about 5 1/2 to 6 inches of rain, in a 2-day period. That put planting behind. Cooler days and nights, hindered cotton planting. This week s forecast mid-eighties to 90. Tobacco planting, corn and peanuts finished up in eastern NC. Still couple of weeks for tobacco, and another week or so for corn, in western NC. Everything looks well and with warm temperatures this week, I am sure we will see, a jump in what has been planted. This early on, I am giving all crops a rating on 5 out of 5. North Carolina Page 16 of 24
Curtis Kaufman Hope, North Dakota North Dakota Donovan Krueger Valley City, North Dakota We have gotten a late start here due to low temps and excessive moisture, with talk of more rain and a possible frost this week. The fields that have sprouted look good and we continue to plant when and where we can. Hopefully there is more to report next week. Mike Kozojed Hillsboro, North Dakota Eastern North Dakota very busy with planting. With most field work not starting until the first week in May, planting progress has been trying to catch up. Corn is about 80-85% planted and soys are nearing 50%. The first planted corn is starting to emerge. Let's give the corn a 3.5 because of the later than normal plant dates and soybeans a 4 just because planting conditions are good. Rain in the forecast for Tuesday. Page 17 of 24
Zach Bollinger Ashland, Ohio CORN: The southern trade area, where the dirt is a little less tight and they've had less rain, are at least 2/3 planted and should be done later this week. Good emergence, good vigor to plant. Where ground is not so forgiving, and we've had more rain, the early planted corn (April 25-30) is finally starting to show visible rows. Most is a putrid yellow, but heat is helping. Only a small percent of replant claims. SOYBEANS: Southern trade area is moving along with planting progress, likely 1/3-1/2 done. Limited emergence, but not many concerns down there. Move north and there might be 10% of the seed in the ground. Further north, the wetter it is, which is a concern due to soil type. Still more than a month until final plant date, though. WHEAT: Starting to head out and looking healthy. Concerns it might be a little ahead of normal maturity pace and fungicide applications may have missed crucial times. Would say on pace for average to above-average yields, but not nearly the acres as usual. Ohio Mike Vallery London, Ohio Page 18 of 24
Andrea Metcalf Enid, Oklahoma Oklahoma Jessica Wilcox Fairview, Oklahoma Wheat- Overall this year s crop is going to be hurting in quality in the Southern Plains. Soil fertility is down after 2 years of below break-even prices, and a mild, wet (at times) winter/spring has fungi and disease at one of the highest levels I have seen in about 10 years. Lots of acres normally cut for grain have been cut for hay or grazed out. Harvest still 2-3 weeks out in NWOK, Combines running in North Texas. Rating: 3 out of 5 Canola- The Canola is loving the wet spring we have had in this part of the world. Producers are looking forward to a great crop with good oil content. SWOK has swathed most of their crop at this time. NWOK is still a week out from swathing, weather willing Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Corn- This wet spring has put a damper on corn acres planted after the first of April in river bottomland. Flooding has been/is a major concern for producers in Eastern Oklahoma. Acres are down from normal. Rating: 2.7 of 5 Soybeans- We are just now getting to full season planting time for Soybeans across Oklahoma. Rain is keeping Farmers out of the field currently. Planters will be rolling to make the most of the few breaks in rain systems. I expect a modest increase in bean acres this year in Oklahoma. Rating: 5 of 5 (Beans in the bag still have lots of potential, lol) Cotton- That screeching sound you hear is planters that haven t seen a cotton seed in 10 years coming out of hibernation to seed a crop. Acres are seeing a drastic upswing fueled by high lint prices and a wet spring. Planting hasn t progressed much due to all the rain, but producers will make the most of breaks in the weather to get acres covered in a hurry. Rating: 5 of 5 (most seed still in bags) Grain Sorghum- I haven t talked to a single producer planning on planting any Grain Sorghum this season. Those acres are going to cotton, sesame, or being cover cropped. Sesame- Quite a few producers are taking a chance on Sesame this summer. Most will be double cropped behind wheat or canola, then those acres will be fallow all winter. Not quite to the planting window yet Peanuts- Prices are good this season for peanuts. We are just entering the planting window for peanuts, I look for those acres to be up this year. Page 19 of 24
Jimmy Bryson Lydia, South Carolina We are about 2 weeks from the beginning of Wheat Harvest. Our planted acres this year was really low, statewide about 25% less than normal. The Wheat Crop in most areas is a little frail, and rated at 3. Let's see what the beginning harvest results hold. We have finished with corn planting, the planted acres are up from last year in the areas I've seen and looks to have a good stand. This week's Corn rating is 3, due to early stage of plant. Cotton planting is moving along very well, with this week's temperatures to be in the 90's with nighttime low's in 60's and no precipitation expected for next 6 days, I'm sure Cotton planting will be finished this week. No rating. I've seen very, very few early Soybeans planted so no report there. South Carolina Page 20 of 24
Josh Mitzel Bowdle, South Dakota Has been a month since any rain. Lots of wind and 70-80 degree days have taken all the moisture away. In huge need of rain. Hopefully the forecast holds true for this week and we get a good soaker. Wheat: Wheat planting is all complete. Pretty much all the wheat has emerged and is looking good. Needs a rain to keep going. Rated 4 of 5 Corn: Planting is nearing completion with just a few acres left. Early planted corn is emerged. Rated 4 of 5 Soybeans: There has been 2 weeks straight of planting with no rain events so we are way ahead on soybean planting. Some pictures out there of seed already sprouting. Lots of guys planting deep for moisture. Planting is about 80% complete. South Dakota Tim Breske Madison, South Dakota It's been a great spring so far for planting in eastern SD. Corn is pretty much wrapped up and beans are going strong. Got some needed rain this morning. Things look great right now. I will rate both corn and beans 5. Craig Blindert Salem, South Dakota Page 21 of 24
Tennessee Ken Reeves Somerville, Tennessee Page 22 of 24
Chris Cogburn Texas Panhandle Wheat - the little wheat in the area is maturing rapidly and missed most of the bad weather. Some of the earlier wheat will be ready to cut in two weeks while the later will be 4 weeks out. 4 out of 5. Corn - corn planting is in full swing and some have finished and some are close. We have good subsoil moisture and producers can put some water on with a sprinkler if it dries out on top. 4.5 out of 5. Cotton - some has been planted, but a lot of producers will start this week. Some non-irrigated fields may be a little dry on top so they will be put toward the end in hopes of a rain shower to wet the top. Irrigated has good subsoil and can be watered up if needed. Irrigated 4.5 out of 5; non-irrigated 3.5 out of 5. Sorghum - the early has been planted and is up. Most won't be planted until in June. Given the good subsoil, irrigated at 4.5 out of 5, non-irrigated 4 out of 5. Bryan Fullingim- Petersburg, Texas Texas Royce Felder Robstown, Texas Coastal Bend of South Texas is in need of moisture. The area had less wheat and grain sorghum with more corn and cotton. Rain is once again forecast for the end of the week. Need not miss another one. CORN -- Producers were able to plant in early to mid February. The crop looks good for the most part but the high temperatures with high winds with fading soil moisture is beginning to show on the plant. The ears are developed but needed a rain several weeks ago to make a outstanding crop. No permanent wilt is noticeable but midday wilt is wide spread. Rate 3.0 COTTON -- Most cotton was planted timely. Those late planted acres are having a difficult time. Overall crop is doing well with two main exceptions: lack of moisture and insect pressure. It seems that many fields have plants that are a little behind in size. Rate 3.0 GRAIN SORGHUM -- Some acres planted earlier directly after corn. Some planting was halted by wet spell. The later planted acres are having problems. Deprived areas are showing that lack of moisture. The plant is struggling to push the head any further than the leaves. Several areas have the plant in a greater state of wilt during the day. Insect pressure has also been costly. Rate 3.0 Page 23 of 24
Ryan Chambers Seymour, Wisconsin Wisconsin Jordan Riley Darlington, Wisconsin Corn: 4 Soybeans: No Rating Corn is roughly 85% planted here in southwest Wisconsin. Emergence so far is good with slight concern of wet weather negatively effecting future emergence. Soybeans are at about 45% planted. Overall, a wet spring with rain on and off during the next few days. Page 24 of 24