Kentucky
Massive flooding continued to cause many problems for Kentucky producers who were about ready to plant or had taken advantage of the warm, dry early spring weather and had already planted crops. The 10th worst flood on record paralyzed much of the state. By some estimates, half of the corn crop may need to be replanted.
As of May 3, the Kentucky Field Office of the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) reported 83 percent of the corn crop had been planted, up 50 percent from the same time in 2009 and 24 percent higher than the five-year average. Corn emergence was reported at 59 percent, 48 percent above the previous year, and 29 percent above the five-year average.

Soybean planting is still just beginning. The latest figures show planting progress stood at 6 percent, 5 percent above last year, and 1 percent above the five-year average.

The NASS report noted that as of Sunday May 2, 33 percent of tobacco plants were less than two-inches tall, 37 percent were 2-4 inches tall, and 30 percent were taller than four inches. Only 1 percent of burley tobacco acreage had been set, 1 percent less than the five-year average. Three percent of the dark tobacco crop has been set, 2 percent ahead of the five-year average, but the heavy rains may have washed out some float bed seedlings.

As far as other crops stood, “winter wheat condition was reported as 1 percent very poor, 1 percent poor, 20 percent fair, 58 percent good, and 20 percent excellent. Winter wheat headed was 22 percent, two percent below last year, and 13 percent below the five year average,” the report stated.

The hay crop, too took a blow from the floods as producers in some areas were about to make their first cuts. Hay crop condition was reported as being 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 33 percent fair, 48 percent good and 14 percent excellent. These figures were reported before the rain and floods.

By Tim Thornberry
Kentucky Correspondent

Illinois
Following a record warm April, cooler and wetter May weather is forcing Illinois farmers into more traditional planting patterns.
While April’s warm and dry weeks offered a head start on corn plantings, upwards of 87 percent of corn was planted as of May 2 with 39 percent emergence, the Illinois Agricultural Statistics Service reports. To date, this year has seen more corn planted by May 2 than any in the past 10 years. Only 5 percent was in the ground at this time last year.

Farmers are now turning their attention to soybean plantings as corn planting is nearly complete. Last week’s field conditions included an average temperature of 59 degrees and average rainfall at 1.25 inches, though heavy rainfall and colder temperatures were predicted for the past weekend. The topsoil moisture was rated 2 percent short, 64 percent adequate and 34 percent surplus.

The colder weekend did prompt frost in northern Illinois, with temperatures there hitting as low as 30 degrees, according to the Illinois Soil and Water Survey. Central regions saw lows of 35 degrees while the southern parts ranged from 34 to 40 degrees. The colder temperatures did turn some of the emergent corn to yellow, but the stand is expected to develop normally. This has allowed for 11 percent of the projected soybean crop to be planted compared to the five-year average of 4 percent. Some areas, including northern Illinois, report soybean plantings as high as 75 percent complete.

Winter wheat is 12 percent headed. Oats are 95 percent planted. Pasture condition is 15 percent poor to fair and 85 percent good to excellent.

“We ended up with the warmest April on record,” said Jim Angel, ISWS state climatologist. “A couple of times we were well above normal.”

He added that planting progressed quickly this season due to favorable weather conditions. In April, the average statewide temperature was 58.4 degrees, which was 6.2 degrees above normal, while the average precipitation of 3.5 inches was 0.3 of an inch below normal.

Temperature spikes in the high-70s to mid-80s in the middle of April were well above the normal average temperature of 63 degrees. However, the soybean crop may not experience as favorable planting conditions that corn did as normal weather conditions settle in for May.

By Karen Binder
Illinois Correspondent

Ohio

According to latest figures from the Ohio NASS office, growing conditions this past week have been given passing grades by most farmers in this state.

Southwest Ohio corn and soybean farmer Butch Schappacher is more than pleased with spring growing conditions.

“It’s been a decent spring for growers, even with the cool temperatures,” said Schappacher, who raises field corn, sweet corn, soybeans, pumpkins and wheat in Warren County. “Most of the farmers I’ve spoken with are pretty well under way with their crops. The spring has been dry for us in this part of the state.”

Temperature average for the state this past week was 54.3 degrees F., which is normal this time of year.

“The rainfall has been just right. Now we could use some warmer conditions,” Schappacher said.

NASS statistics indicate things are going well throughout most of Ohio. As of last Sunday, 64 percent of the corn had been planted, which is 52 percent ahead of last year. Twenty-three percent of soybeans have been planted, compared to just three percent last season. Eight percent of the corn has emerged, compared to just one percent last growing season. And the planting of winter wheat is 17 percent ahead of last year’s planting.

Other crops showing progress include oats, peaches, apples and potatoes. Ninety-two percent of oats have been planted (17 percent ahead of last year’s mark) and 48 percent has emerged. Peaches in green tip are at 88 percent while apples in full bloom are at 72 percent (25 percent ahead of 2009 statistics). Potatoes planted are at 48 percent (30 percent ahead of last season).

By Doug Graves
Ohio Correspondent