By DOUG SCHMITZ

Iowa Correspondent

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — The record-high cold weather has been stalling corn planting for farmers across the Corn Belt, with last month possibly becoming the Midwest’s coldest April on record since 1895, yielding what farm analysts said could be the smallest corn crop in three years.

“Most of the states in the north (i.e., the Dakotas, Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin) were the farthest behind, a few of those with zero percent in the ground,” said Evan, Duffey, AccuWeather long-range meteorologist in Pennsylvania.

“The cold spring and late snow cover are the main reason for holding up progress. Even Iowa was at zero percent of corn planted,” compared to a normal 11 percent.

He said the USDA crop progress from earlier in the week (of April 22), nationally, showed only 5 percent of corn planted, compared to 14 percent, which was the 2013-17 average.

“Oats are at 31 percent instead of 55 percent,” he said, and “barley at 11 percent, compared to a normal of 33 percent.” Moving forward, he said chilly conditions would linger through April 28, “but ‘chilly’ this time of year is getting better, thanks to rising normals.”

“A warm spell will sweep eastward across the Corn Belt (this week), with largely dry weather. Only one or two days of rain can be expected during the period and even then, it may be more scattered than widespread. This should result in some significant catch-up taking place with the planting progress,” he added.

In fact, the April 23 USDA weekly crop progress report showed the U.S. corn plantings a bit behind expectations, according to Allendale, Inc. in McHenry, Ill.

“The USDA reported corn at 5 percent planted, below the 7 percent estimate and the 14 percent five-year average,” its April 24 crop report stated. “Soybeans were in line with estimates at 2 percent planted, while spring wheat was well below estimates at 3 percent planted, versus the 7 percent estimates and the 25 percent five-year average.

“Winter wheat was reported 31 percent good to excellent. Traders were looking for an improvement to 32 percent after weekend rains.”

In Iowa, another round of cold, wet weather and some significant snowfall again kept farmers out of the field for much of last week.

“As a result, we are now well behind the five-year average of 11 percent of corn planted by April 22,” Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig said of the April 23 Iowa Crop & Weather report, with 23 percent of the expected oat crop planted, almost two weeks behind last year and the five-year average.

“Hopefully, we will continue to see warmer temperatures and drier weather so farmers across the state can get in the fields and start spring planting.”

In Illinois, the April 22 crop report said the state experienced patches of rain, snow and cooler temperatures as limited planting and fieldwork continued: “Corn planted was at 4 percent, compared to 30 percent last year and the five-year average of 20 percent. Winter wheat headed reached 4 percent, compared to 24 percent last year and the five-year average of 6 percent.”

In Indiana, cold weather, coupled with snow in some areas, continued to delay planting, said Indiana State Statistician Greg Matli in the state’s April 23 crop report.

“The ground throughout the state is still cold and wet, but warmer temperatures and high winds helped to dry out some oversaturated fields,” he said. “Some growers were able to plant corn over the weekend (April 21-22). Stand issues will be a concern in winter wheat where ponding and icing occurred.”

In Kentucky, the weather continues to impede progress in the fields as cool, wet conditions persist, said David Knopf, USDA Kentucky field office director, in the state’s April 23 crop report, with corn planting at 10 percent well behind last year’s 28 percent.

“Sixty-three percent of tobacco transplants are under 2 inches, with 26 percent (at) 2-4 inches and 11 percent over 4 inches,” he said. “Soybean planting has been restricted by the weather and the lag in corn planting progress.”

In Michigan, the week-ending weather was much more favorable than the previous week, said Marlo Johnson, USDA Great Lakes regional office director.

“Warmer temperatures and dry conditions started to melt snow and thaw ground in northern Michigan,” Johnson said. “Most fields were still too saturated to do much fieldwork, but the state did see improved soil moisture levels. The winter wheat began to green up and oats planting progress advanced due to the nice weather.”

In Ohio, more wet and cold weather passed through the week ending April 22, keeping many farmers out of the fields, said State Statistician Cheryl Turner.

“No reports of corn or soybeans going in the ground as planted progress continued to fall behind recent years due to poor weather conditions,” she said. “Winter wheat condition remains similar to (the previous week) and is rated mostly good to excellent, despite the weather.”

In Tennessee, the state’s April 23 crop report said farmers continued planting, despite variable weather, “making great planting progress this week, taking full advantage of the 4.5 suitable fieldwork days.”

“Cooler temperatures and a few rain events halted activities early in the week,” it stated. “Producers are encouraged by the warming weather, which came later in the week, as pasture and other conditions are improving. All crops are mostly in fair-to-good condition.”

Through the remainder of May, Duffey said to expect temperatures to remain generally below normal. “Quick-moving systems will bring occasional rainfall, but there should be plenty of dry days as well,” he said.

“Overall, the precipitation will be most likely in the Eastern Corn Belt. As you move towards the Plains, the precipitation should drop more to below-normal levels. None of this weather should lead to additional delays in planting of major crops across the region.”

The only concern going forward, he said, is the late-planted corn puts parts of the Corn Belt at risk for heat during silking/heading later in the year. “The sooner you plant, the more likely you are to avoid this heat and dry weather that can impact yields. We believe the heat will be more of a problem farther west across the Wheat Belt this summer. But a few waves of heat could make it into the Western Corn Belt.

“The later planting this year could place the high-stress times for the crops in conjunction with this heat,” he added.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, long-term maps for May had mostly normal temperatures and precipitation for the majority of the Midwest.

“The longer-term June, July and August timeframe showed mostly normal temperatures and normal precipitation are also expected,” Allendale’s April 20 crop report read. “Based on this forecast, trend yield is very possible.”