Weather cooperated last week, so the majority of the row crop acres have now been planted. Corn is, for the most part, all wrapped up with only a few acres left in some smaller or isolated fields. Soybeans are close to 75% planted, leaving the last to probably be finished off this week. Temperatures this week will be in the upper 70s to low 80s, so planting for this spring will probably be all but wrapped up by the weekend. Land rollers seem to be running everywhere day and night just to get over the acres before the beans start emerging. Once planting is complete, there will some folks hoping for rain. Topsoil moisture supplies are rated 1 percent very short, 18 short, 73 adequate, and 8 surplus, according to the May 14 crop report by USDA NASS. Everyone is busy, so stay safe!
Category Archives: Crop Reports
Central & Eastern Iowa Crop Report: May 16, 2012
We had a very big week for planting across the region as soils dried and farmers got back in the fields. Corn planting is complete. Although we’re see a few crusting issues, overall corn is off to a great start. Corn stages range from emerging to some early plantings at E3. Keep an eye on all fields for insects and weed pressure. The early warm temperatures have given some species of weeds an advanced start and are causing problems. Soybean plantings moved very quickly. Some producers have adjusted planting depth for lack of top soil moisture in some areas. Most soybeans will be planted this week if the weather cooperates, so we’ll need to keep scouting fields and watch for bean leaf beetles and other insects.
Southwest Minnesota Crop Report: May 16, 2012
Warm, dry weather has helped Minnesota farmers continue to plant at a fast pace. Currently Minnesota corn acres are 88% planted with 45 % already emerged. Soybeans are 44% planted compared to only 7% planted last year at this time. Unfortunately, early May heavy rains caused soil crusting. Farmers are using a rotary hoe on many corn acres throughout the entire state to help break up the crust. In some areas, where the crusting was too severe, they are replanting some corn acres. Now is the time to take a break away from soybean planting for a few hours to inspect all of your planted fields to ensure you have good plant stands.
When I sit down to write articles for our blog, I feel like I'm sitting down with my family at the dinner table, ready to talk about 