Across the Corn Belt, mild, dry weather in the upper Midwest contrasts with cool, showery conditions in the Ohio Valley. By April 22, corn planting had not begun, and was at least 10 percentage points behind the 5-year average pace, in Iowa and Minnesota. During the 4-week period ending April 22, there were less than 2 days suitable for fieldwork in Minnesota (0.1 day), North Dakota (1.2 days), and South Dakota (1.7 days).
On the Plains, dry weather prevails across drought-affected southern areas, where—despite recent showers— topsoil moisture was rated at least one-half very short to short on April 22 in Texas (67%), Kansas (64%), Colorado (53%), and Oklahoma (53%).
Continue reading Fieldwork remains delayed in many areas at Brownfield Ag News.
