Eastern Cornbelt:
Highs in the low- to mid-80s were reported in central and southern Illinois as the week progressed, with 80-degree weather also reported across much of Indiana after a period of heavy rain on May 17 that dropped 1-2 inches in many areas of the state. The heat wave extended into Ohio as well, with highs in the mid-80s expected through the weekend.
Corn planting as of May 16 had progressed to 86 percent complete in Illinois, 62 percent in Indiana, and 39 percent in Ohio, with Illinois and Indiana tracking well ahead of their five-year averages and Ohio lagging slightly.
Soybean planting was 71 percent complete in Illinois by that date, significantly ahead of the state’s 40 percent five-year average. Soybean planting progress was estimated at 50 percent complete in Indiana and 29 percent in Ohio, with both tracking ahead of average.
Western Cornbelt:
Iowa sources reported temperatures in the 70s and scattered thunderstorms at midweek, with growers moving quickly on spring planting. Forecasts warned of severe storms possible in the Nebraska panhandle late on May 20.
Wet conditions in Missouri continued to delay fieldwork in many locations at mid-month, with reports of strong thunderstorms tracking through western Missouri on May 20. Temperatures across the state reached the low- to mid-80s during the week, with a drier weekend on tap for many locations.
Brisk sidedress demand was reported in the region during the week, with planting progress and emergence tracking well ahead of the five-year averages for nearly all crops.
Iowa growers had fully 94 percent of the corn and 83 percent of the soybeans planted by May 16, with Nebraska trailing slightly at 86 percent on corn and 71 percent on soybeans. Missouri’s planting progress was rated at 84 percent on corn, 36 percent on soybeans, 65 percent on cotton, and 88 percent on rice.
California:
Cool weather moved into California as the week advanced, bringing rain and snow to higher elevations in the Sierra. Wind gusts of 50 mph or more were expected in Southern California over the weekend, prompting fire concerns due to extremely dry conditions.
The May 20 Drought Monitor showed severe-to-extreme drought conditions covering most of the state, with sizable areas of exceptional drought emerging along coastal areas of Central California and inland locations in Southern California. Earlier this month, Gov. Gavin Newsom extended emergency drought orders to 41 counties across the state.
USDA reported that 85 percent of California cotton was planted by May 16, even with the five-year averages, but lagging slightly behind Arizona’s 87 percent progress. Rice planting had progressed to 80 percent complete by that date, well ahead of the 56 percent five-year average.
Sources continued to report reductions in fertilizer application volumes on almond and walnut crops due to low crop prices. “No surprise that we are seeing more restraint in fertilizer spending for almonds,” said one source. “Walnuts have been running with unsustainable pricing for a few years now. On both crops, the best producers are sticking to their overall plans but definitely trimming wherever they can.”
Pacific Northwest:
The week began with temperatures reaching the 80s from coastal areas of Oregon and Washington to eastern Montana. By the end of the week, however, a cold front brought rain and much cooler weather to much of the region, with highs in the 50s and snow flurries reported across western Montana.
Forecasts warned of potentially heavy snow in parts of northwestern Montana by May 21, with up to a foot of accumulation expected in some locations over the weekend. The moisture is needed, with vast areas of the region experiencing severe drought conditions in mid-May. The May 20 Drought Monitor also showed areas of extreme drought across eastern Montana and central Oregon.
Growers in Idaho and Washington had 98-99 percent of the spring wheat and barley planted by May 16, with both tracking ahead of their five-year averages. Planting progress in Montana was lagging at 71 percent complete, however.
Western Canada:
Weather extremes were reported across Western Canada during the week, with record high temperatures posted in parts of southern Manitoba on March 17 followed by snow and freezing rain from southern Alberta to northern Manitoba on March 19.
Highs in the low-30s C were reported in several southern Manitoba locations as the week began, prompting a special weather statement from Environment Canada warning of excessive heat. By midweek, however, winter storm warnings were in place for much of northern Manitoba, with temperatures falling to -6 C in Churchill.
Winter weather conditions were also reported in southern Saskatchewan on March 19, with 15-20 cm of snow expected in some southwestern areas of the province late in the week. The cold blast followed a round of high heat warnings for southern Saskatchewan on March 17.
Alberta and British Columbia were also experiencing wild weather. Strong thunderstorms churned through eastern British Columbia early in the week, bringing hail, high winds, and lightning. Parts of southwestern Alberta were bracing for 15-30 cm of snow later in the week.
Planting progress was tracking ahead of normal in Alberta, with 31.5 percent of the province’s major crops already seeded by May 11. Spring planting across Manitoba was 76 percent complete by May 18, while Saskatchewan growers had 74 percent of the spring crops planted by May 20, well ahead of the 48 percent five-year average.
“We’re still in the heat of the battle, but I’d say that by the weekend we will by 70-90 percent done with planting across the Western Canada region,” said one contact. Another source said he expects more summer fill programs to be announced over the next several weeks.