Rain in late May delayed planting of some of the soybean acres in Ohio. "Those planted in early May look really good," said Eric Richer, Ohio State University extension agriculture and natural resources educator in Fulton County. "The beans that got planted late are potential replants."

Like other parts of Ohio, his county was drenched in 2-4 inches of rain the last couple days of May.

On the other hand, the corn is in good shape, he said. His part of the state had a stretch of favorable weather for planting. "We had a good window," Richer said. "Most everybody in Fulton County had a nice window late April through May 9 or 10. The lion’s share of the corn went in then. It really looks good."

Much of the corn has been sidedressed, while the rest had to wait until fields dried from the late May rains.

He said the wheat crop also looks promising. "Wheat has been fully headed out for the last week or two," he said. "We have very low incidence of head scab in fields that were treated or untreated."

The late May heavy rains limited fieldwork throughout Ohio, but planting progress still was ahead of the five-year average, according to the NASS Great Lakes regional office. There were 4.3 days suitable for fieldwork the week before last.

Rain was spotty over much of the state, NASS stated, leaving some areas drier than average while heavy rains in other areas, especially later in the week, left standing water. Some hail was reported.

Warmer-than-normal temperatures helped emergence and growth of new plants, but some replanting may be needed in drowned-out areas. Cool and cloudy conditions following rain likely reduced or prevented soil crusting.

Too much moisture created concern for disease in wheat, but the crop remains in overall good condition.