Eastern Cornbelt:
Cooler weather was reported in central and northern Illinois during the week, with frost advisories posted for several locations earlier in the week.
A frost advisory was also in effect at midweek for parts of northern Ohio, with lows expected to drop to the low- to mid-30s before a warmup later in the week. Indiana enjoyed mostly seasonal temperatures and dry conditions during the week, but rainy weather was expected again by the weekend.
Corn planting as of May 9 was estimated at 74 percent complete in Illinois, 46 percent in Indiana, and 27 percent in Ohio, with Illinois and Indiana tracking ahead of their five-year averages and Ohio lagging slightly. Soybean planting was 57 percent complete in Illinois, 36 percent in Indiana, and 20 percent in Ohio by that date, with all three states ahead of normal.
Ohio growers also had fully 85 percent of the oats planted by May 9, compared with 74 percent on average.
Western Cornbelt:
Iowa and Missouri sources reported spotty planting activity through most of the week, although potentially heavy rains were expected to arrive by the weekend. Cool temperatures across portions of Nebraska and Iowa continued to delay corn emergence at mid-month.
Iowa growers had fully 86 percent of the corn and 67 percent of the soybeans planted by May 9, with both tracking well ahead of their five-year averages. Planting progress in Nebraska was rated at 71 percent complete for corn and 47 percent for soybeans, also ahead of normal for both crops, but corn emergence lagged at only 12 percent by May 9.
Missouri growers had 69 percent of the corn planted by May 9, along with 21 percent of the soybeans, 72 percent of the rice, and 10 percent of the cotton. While cotton and corn planting lagged, soybeans and rice were both ahead of their five-year averages.
Sources reported the start of corn sidedressing in some locations, particularly in parts of Missouri, but the wet weekend was expected to stall activity. “Sidedress should be good,” commented on Iowa source. “We are wet and have 20 percent of the corn to plant yet locally, so no sidedress activity yet as corn development is slow due to cold temperatures.”
Southern Plains:
Heavy rain across much of central and eastern Texas in early May helped alleviate worsening drought conditions in the state, but the May 13 U.S. Drought Monitor continued to show areas of extreme-to-exceptional drought in southern and western Texas and across much of New Mexico.
News reports confirmed several severe thunderstorms across southern and central Texas on May 11, with reports of heavy rain, small hail, and some flooding in low-lying areas. Parts of Kansas and Oklahoma were also bracing for heavy moisture as the week progressed, along with portions of eastern New Mexico.
Texas growers had 76 percent of the corn crop planted by May 9, compared with 54 percent in Kansas and 41 percent in Colorado. Cotton planting had progressed by that date to 25 percent complete in Texas, 18 percent in Oklahoma, and 13 percent in Kansas, with soybean planting estimated at 27 percent complete in Kansas. While sorghum planting was fully 68 percent complete in Texas, progress was only rated at 3-7 percent in Kansas and Oklahoma.
Sources reported some brisk fertilizer movement on corn and cotton ground, as well as some pasture activity. “Fertilizer is moving strong,” said one Texas contact. “We got some much-needed rain the past couple of days, and more is scheduled for next week.”
South Central:
Strong thunderstorms moved through parts of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi on Mother’s Day, prompting tornado warnings and flash flood advisories in some locations. There were multiple reports of structural damage from 50-60 mph winds and penny-sized hail, along with heavy rain.
Sources reported good planting progress in the region in early May, although Louisiana was trailing its average pace for most crops. Roughly 40 percent of the state’s soybeans were planted by May 9, compared with 64 percent in Mississippi, 48 percent in Arkansas, 32 percent in Kentucky, and 25 percent in Tennessee.
Corn planting had progressed to 71-75 percent complete in Kentucky and Tennessee by that date, while cotton planting was reported at 35 percent complete in Mississippi, 30 percent in Louisiana, 19 percent in Arkansas, and just three percent in Tennessee. Rice planting was winding down by May 9, with progress estimated at 77 percent in Arkansas, 78 percent in Mississippi, 87 percent in Louisiana, and 92 percent in Texas.
Southeast:
Strong thunderstorms tracked through Georgia and the Carolinas early in the week, with reports of quarter-sized hail and damaging winds in parts of central North Carolina on May 10. Rains also moved through northern and central Florida during the week, with highs near 80. Mostly dry weather was reported in Alabama, with temperatures in the 68-74 degree range.
Sources said the rain helped ease drought conditions in some parts of the Southeast, which had slowed planting in some areas. Growers were reportedly trying to finish up corn while also moving on tobacco, soybeans, cotton, and peanuts.
North Carolina growers had 90 percent of the corn and 26 percent of the soybeans planted by May 9, while cotton planting had progressed to 22 percent complete in Georgia, 25 percent in North Carolina, 27 percent in Alabama, 35 percent in Virginia, and 40 percent in South Carolina.
Growers were also planting peanuts in early May, with progress as of May 9 rated at 43 percent complete in South Carolina, 40 percent in Virginia, 36 percent in Florida, 28 percent in Alabama, 22 percent in Georgia, and 14 percent in North Carolina.