Feedback from the Field-April 29
Farmers in a few areas of the Midwest got back into the field last week, with progress noted in the western Corn Belt. Work in other areas proceeded in fits and starts – if at all – as a series of storms continue to pummel key parts of the growing region.
Indeed, even those whose planters are running are likely taking some breaks. A producer in north central Iowa Saturday reported ammonia applications wrapped up Friday, with 750 acres of corn planted, or 15%, just as the farm confronted forecasts for snow that hit areas north of I-80.
A few other farmers reported being 5% to 10% planted, but were also working in wet, cold conditions that are hardly ideal.
“We are extremely wet,” said a farmer in northern Ohio, who had 3.5 inches of rain last week. “No fieldwork and planting has been done and now it will be quite a spell until we can think about getting in the fields.”
To the east in Indiana, the verdict was the same: “Nothing done,” was the post from south of Fort Wayne. “Nothing but mud. Field work at least 7 days away.”
Wet conditions also appear to be impacting winter wheat conditions. Some deterioration is starting to show up in satellite vegetation maps and USDA Crop Progress reports, though overall ratings remain good for the crop.
“Starting to see some leaf rust and stem rust on winter wheat,” according to a northwest Nebraska grower last week.
What’s happening in your fields? Click the Feedback From The Field reporting form and give us your first-hand account. Use the interactive map below to see all this year’s reports just by clicking the flagged locations.