One of the biggest benefits from waiting to plant corn until conditions are ideal, is the crop emerges more uniformly and forms those picket-fence stands that deliver huge yields, says Agronomist Missy Bauer.
A heat dome will consume the Plains and Mississippi Valley into the South this week with "oppressive and dangerous conditions" expected at least through midweek, the National Weather Service reported early Monday.
The signs of El Niño grew even strong this month, and as the weather event looks to make its grand return, significant weather changes could be on deck for U.S. farmers this year.
The Corn Belt will see a cooler weather pattern set in, and parts of the parched Plains will see higher chances of rain during the next couple of weeks, according to Eric Snodgrass of Nutrien Ag Solutions.
The updated Seasonal Drought Outlook for the U.S. is painting a grim picture for many drought-plagued areas of the Plains, but forecasters also expect drought to improve in parts of Nebraska and Iowa.
From the potential for more cold weather later this week to additional moisture increasing chances for flooding in the upper Midwest, the forecast for the remainder of April could hold a few more surprises.
USDA’s latest Crop Progress confirms planting is just getting started across the Corn Belt, but as forecasts change to milder and drier trend, planting progress could speed up this week.
Both crops get a green light for planting this Wednesday and maybe even for Tuesday in central Illinois. Ferrie says let soil conditions, moisture and local weather forecasts drive your planting and tillage decisions.
Sizzling heat hit much of the U.S. this week. The NOAA reports May 2022 was among “Earth’s top 10 warmest months,” and that 2022 is the sixth-warmest year on record so far.
Meteorologists say “favorable weather,” which includes timely rains and little extreme heat, might stick around for a while in most of the Corn Belt, especially to the East.