Across the Corn Belt, warm, dry weather favors spring planting preparations, except in far upper Midwestern areas where snow is just starting to melt, and in wetter eastern areas. On April 9, topsoil moisture was 45% surplus in Michigan. On the same date, oat planting had not yet begun in Minnesota or North Dakota—but was 20% complete in Nebraska.
On the Plains, drought-affected winter wheat continues to deteriorate amid warm, dry conditions. On April 9, Kansas led the U.S.
