Farmers in our region had little opportunity for field work in the week that ended May 26. USDA reports one suitable day for field work in Iowa, 2.2 in Nebraska and 1.1 in South Dakota. This was less suitable field time than in the previous week.
As rain continued, the percentages of waterlogged fields continued to rise.
| |
Topsoil surplus (%)
|
Subsoil surplus (%)
|
| Iowa |
59
|
55
|
| Nebraska |
40
|
28
|
| South Dakota |
56
|
48
|
| Wyoming |
19
|
15
|
| 8 States |
37
|
33
|
The map below shows soil moisture in millimeters. The second map highlights the excess compared with normal.
At a time when 90% of the corn crop should be planted in the 18 major states, 58% is in the ground. Only 32% has emerged compared to 69% on average at this point in the growing season. Likewise, 29% percent of soybeans were planted as of May 26, less than half the 66% average. Eleven percent of the crop has emerged; the average is 35%.
Crop progress in the states we focus on:
| CORN |
Percent Planted
|
Percent Emerged
|
| |
May 26
|
Avg.
|
May 26
|
Avg.
|
| Iowa |
76
|
96
|
42
|
77
|
| Kansas |
70
|
88
|
49
|
69
|
| Nebraska |
81
|
94
|
50
|
73
|
| South Dakota |
25
|
90
|
2
|
57
|
| 18 States |
58
|
90
|
32
|
69
|
| SOYBEANS |
|
|
|
|
| Iowa |
32
|
77
|
8
|
36
|
| Kansas |
22
|
41
|
12
|
22
|
| Nebraska |
56
|
74
|
23
|
36
|
| South Dakota |
6
|
64
|
0
|
24
|
| 18 States |
29
|
66
|
11
|
35
|
Grain sorghum planting also is well behind normal, at 28% in the six states USDA reports, compared with a 44% five-year average. In Nebraska, 23% is planted vs. 50% on average. Kansas was at 4% vs. 13% on average.
Spring wheat in the six states USDA reports is 84% complete against a 91% average. South Dakota spring wheat stands are 79% planted vs. 97% on average. Forty seven percent of the crop overall has emerged (average 69%), with 43% of South Dakota’s emerged (86% average).
Winter wheat
Cooler than normal temperatures continued to contribute to slow development of winter wheat: 66% of the crop has headed, 10 percentage points behind average, USDA reports. In Nebraska, 19% has headed (50% average); South Dakota wheat is at zero percent (20% average).
Looking ahead
There is a 70% chance that El Niño will continue through the Northern Hemisphere summer, according to the Climate Prediction Center. Chances are 55% to 60% that it linger through fall. All this suggest continued wet weather.
In its outlook for June, July and August, the CPC shows above normal chances of precipitation and a tendency for below normal temperatures in the Western Corn Belt/Plains. There is a better than usual chance for above normal temperatures in the East.
