Eastern Cornbelt:
Summer-like temperatures in the upper-70s and low-80s triggered a number of strong thunderstorms in the Eastern Cornbelt during the week. The first caused numerous power outages across central Illinois on May 7, while forecasts warned of potentially severe storms in all three states late in the week.
Corn planting as of May 7 jumped to 73% complete in Illinois, well ahead of the five-year average and significantly ahead of Indiana’s 36% and Ohio’s 11% progress. Soybean planting in Illinois was also tracking well ahead of normal at 66% complete, compared with 33% in Indiana and 16% in Ohio.
Western Cornbelt:
Mostly dry weather was reported across central Iowa during the week, allowing growers to make significant strides on spring planting as temperatures climbed into the 80s across the state.
Forecasts warned of hail and damaging winds as a line of thunderstorms pushed through parts of Iowa on May 11-12. Strong storms also hit parts of western Nebraska as the week progressed, with forecasts warning of potentially heavy rain, hail, and damaging winds on May 11.
Strong thunderstorms early in the week caused some structural damage in parts of northwestern Missouri, with at least three tornadoes confirmed in northern Missouri on May 6.
After a flurry of fieldwork in early May, corn planting surged to 92% complete in Missouri, 70% in Iowa, and 56% in Nebraska by May 7, with all three states ahead of their five-year averages. Soybean planting was also ahead of schedule at 50% complete in Missouri, 49% in Iowa, and 36% in Nebraska, while Missouri’s rice and cotton planting had progressed to 85% and 40%, respectively.
Northern Plains:
Cool, rainy weather was reported across the Dakotas late in the week. Scattered thunderstorms also moved through Minnesota during the week, though midweek highs reached the 80s in parts of the state.
A slow-moving storm dropped several inches of rain in southern Minnesota on May 11, prompting a flash flood warning in several counties.
The combination of frequent showers, cool temperatures, and above-average snowpack has delayed spring planting in the Northern Plains, particularly in North Dakota. “Things are just getting started in western and central North Dakota,” reported one contact. “It’s very wet. We just had another three inches of rain, so we’ll see how soon we get going.”
Corn planting as of May 7 was 38% complete in Minnesota, 26% in South Dakota, and just 1% in North Dakota, with soybean planting estimated at 10-13% complete in South Dakota and Minnesota.
Sugar beet planting lagged significantly at just 23% complete in Minnesota and 1% in North Dakota, well behind the 44-45% average for those two states. The oats crop was 55% planted in South Dakota by May 7, compared with 36% in Minnesota and 6% in North Dakota.
The planting of spring wheat and barley was also delayed, with progress estimated at 7-9% in Minnesota and 6-10% in North Dakota. South Dakota growers, by contrast, had fully 56% of the spring wheat seeded by May 7.
Northeast:
Summer-like weather settled in for much of the Northeast as the week progressed, with highs reaching the 80s across New England, New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.
Mostly dry conditions helped advance spring planting in the region, with 17% of Pennsylvania’s corn crop seeded as of May 7. Rain was likely over the coming weekend, however, as a cold front was taking aim at the region on May 12-13.
Sources reported firming prices for urea, with phosphates and potash straying strong as well. “I still expect to see a good bit of spring demand over the next couple of weeks,” said one Pennsylvania contact. “We are not having any supply/logistic issues.”
Eastern Canada:
Warm temperatures and frequent showers were reported across Ontario during the week, further delaying spring planting after heavy rain the previous week. Some parts of the province were starting to move again as the week progressed, however.
The heavy precipitation has caused water levels in Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River to rise roughly 0.4-0.6 inches per day in recent weeks, prompting concerns about coastal flooding in some communities. The water level rise is still below the record-highs observed in 2017 and 2019, however.
Flood warnings were also posted in some areas of Quebec after heavy rainfall earlier in May. Parts of Nova Scotia were under winter storm warnings early in the week, with 20-30 cm of snow expected over the Cape Breton Highlands.