Michigan
Farmers are getting back to work in some fields after being washed out by up to 4 inches of rain last week. According to the latest agricultural summary from the Michigan field office NASS, several fields were waterlogged and standing water was common.

Planting of corn and soybeans was again at a standstill until late in the week, according to Michigan State University extension educators throughout the state, and concern was growing over the possibility of increased pest and disease pressure because of the prolonged wet weather.

According to Bruce Mackellar, extension educator in southwestern Michigan, “even though producers were in the fields, it was far from optimal.” In Berrien County, where wet conditions have prevented most field operations this spring, “it will take at least a week of dry weather to get things moving again.”
With more rain in the long-range forecast, Mackellar predicted it will be early June before farmers in this area will be in the fields.

To add to late planting pressures, thick winter annual and cover crops are providing excellent cover for black cutworm moths to lay eggs, and herbicide and pesticide applications are lagging due to wet conditions.

“Producers need to be aware that these fields may have challenges with cutworm larval feeding one the fields are able to be worked,” Mackellar wrote in his Crop Advisory Team Alert.

The wheat crop is in Feekes’ stage 7, with some farmers still applying nitrogen and herbicides as time and weather conditions permit. Extension educators are cautioning farmers to scout fields for insects and diseases, since flights of black cutworm and armyworm moths have occurred. Powdery mildew also is showing up in some fields and may become more prevalent as wet conditions continue.

By Shelly Strautz-Springborn
Michigan Correspondent

Iowa
Although precipitation brought planting progress to a halt, Iowa farmers last week were able to take advantage of the drier conditions, which moved them closer to wrapping up the 2011 planting season.

“What a difference the last two weeks have made,” said Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey. “With the good weather, we are now ahead of the five-year average of planting for both corn and soybeans. With good weather this week, many farmers with crops remaining to be planted will have an opportunity to finish.”

According to the May 16 Iowa Crop & Weather report, strong winds early in the week brought record-high temperatures to much of Iowa, but were quickly followed by below-average temperatures later in the week.

State Meteorologist Harry Hillaker said this was the earliest occurrence of triple-digit heat in Iowa since April 22, 1980. He added at least eight tornadoes were sighted on May 18, including two that struck the town of Lenox.
The report said 92 percent of corn has been planted, behind last year’s 96 percent but ahead of the five-year average of 84 percent, with 33 percent emerging. The report also stated soybean planting is 47 percent complete, behind last year’s 52 percent but ahead of the average of 38 percent. Oat planting is nearly complete, with 92 percent emerging, the report added.
According to Virgil Schmitt, Iowa State University extension field agronomist, black cutworms have started feeding in southern Iowa, mostly south of Highway 92. Brian Lang, extension field agronomist, also cautioned farmers to watch for armyworms while walking among emerging cornfields, “especially if it’s corn following winter rye or in a spring herbicide-killed CRP field.”

By Doug Schmitz
Iowa Correspondent

Tennessee

Last week, a break in storms that had plagued the state gave Tennessee farmers four consecutive days of productive fieldwork. They hadn’t seen that many days of consecutive dry weather since early April, according to a report from NASS.

While spring crops continued to fall behind normal progress, farmers in areas where flood waters receded and fields had dried were able to increase the amount of planted acreage, according to the report.

The state’s corn did well, with two-thirds of the crop’s acreage planted by the end of the week ending May 15. Last week, there was 43 percent of emerged corn compared to 29 percent last week and 83 percent this time in 2010. Also this week, there was 67 percent of planted corn, up from 42 percent last week and 92 percent this time in 2010.

According to NASS, producers also made considerable gains in planting single-cropped soybean and cotton acreage for the first time this season. Hay cutting and tobacco transplanting also began in earnest last week.

Winter wheat took a licking and came out ticking. Even though it suffered through weeks of excessive rainfall and flooding, it responded well to fungicide applications and rated in mostly good condition.

“Wheat not affected by flooding continues to progress well. All acres headed, but none turning color yet. Farmers are rushing this week to plant or replant everywhere but the Delta bottomland, which is still under water. A few producers have actually planted some cotton acres this week,” reported county agent Tim Campbell of Dyer County.

“Some corn planting got started this week, with the Tennessee River receding back to its banks. Farmers have harvested some hay this week, and most have processed or worked their cattle before they get started planting their crops,” said Steve Glass, agent for Decatur County.

By Tesa Nauman
Tennessee correspondent

Kentucky
Black cutworms, soybean aphids, cyst nematodes and sudden death syndrome (SDS) are a few of the key pests and issues to watch for in this growing season, according to Kurt Lawton, DTN production editor, Eden Prairie, Minn.
“Watch for a rebound in soybean aphid populations this year, and don’t forget to continually track soybean cyst nematode and sudden death syndrome,” said Lawton. “Current soybean prices combined with ugly memories of last year’s sudden death syndrome attack should spur growers to watch insects and diseases more closely in 2011.

“But like crop experts preach every year, no two years are alike, so don’t manage for last year’s issues, especially when corn and soybeans often rotate on the same Midwest ground.”

Since 2011 follows a mild insect year, that fact alone will always improve soybean outlook, noted Lawton: “Last year saw no yield-stealing aphids and very few bean leaf beetles or white mold. Aphid densities were unusually low across the Midwest thanks to a combination of heavy rains, high temperatures and predator insects that kept populations in check.”

He reminds growers to watch for spikes in black cutworm numbers, and cornfields should be scouted weekly until the crop reaches the V5 stage.
“Black cutworm moth counts continue to increase in many states across the Midwest,” he said. “Cooler weather in some areas may slow larvae development, but the biggest concern continues to be that larvae will mature just as late-planted corn is in the most vulnerable stage – emergence to five-leaf stage. Most feeding damage typically occurs within seven to 10 days after corn emergence.”

By Susan Hayhurst
Indiana Correspondent