Excess moisture in the largest winter wheat growing region of Illinois has some farmers concerned about long-term condition of the crop. Lance Panzer of Waltonville tells Brownfield the crop went in well and has had good emergence but, he expects the amount and frequency of rains in his area this spring will rob the top end of wheat yields. “With so much rain falling, I really think it is going […]
An extension corn specialist says farmers don’t have to wait any longer for Mother Nature to warm the soil. Joe Lauer is with the University of Wisconsin. He tells Brownfield, “We’re no longer at the point where we need to worry about soil temperature. Once you hit April 20th, it’s go, go, go and the soil temperatures will come along.” Lauer says his extension research team has been pushing up […]
The National Inventors Hall of Fame is inducting three people who made an impact on agriculture. The late Frank Zybach of Nebraska was a metal worker and inventor who developed an initial system in the 1940s. In 1952, Zybach was granted a patent on a larger irrigation system with a 600-foot boom that could water a 135-acre circle or all but the corners of a standard 160-acre section of land. […]
More below-average temperatures and wet field conditions kept Minnesota farmers from accomplishing much fieldwork last week. USDA reporters say only a few hours all week were suitable for fieldwork, and rain was common around the state. Topsoil moisture is reported as 64% adequate and 27% surplus, with similar levels for subsoil moisture. As of Sunday, only 2% of the state’s oats were planted and no other crops have had any […]
A central Missouri farmer says it’s been a challenge getting field work done between rains. Nathan Alpers tells Brownfield he gets a day or two from planting and more rain comes through. “We’re not getting the big gully washing rains but just, you know, a few tenths to a half inch,” he said. “And it just prolongs us another three or four days.” The Cooper County farmer said he might […]
Planting delays continue for Tennessee farmers as they fall even further behind their average pace. Corn is just 17% planted, 28% behind last year, and 20% behind the 5-year average. Soybeans are 3% planted slightly behind last year’s pace and the 5-year average. Wheat conditions across much of the state are mostly good with 62% of the crop rated good to excellent and 82% is jointed with 18% headed. Seventy-three […]
Farmers are beginning to make some progress in the fields as conditions improve. USDA reporters say for the week ending Sunday, just under four days were suitable for fieldwork and some planters were rolling. About one percent of South Dakota’s corn is planted, which is behind last year’s 4% and the 3% average. Thirty-six percent of the spring wheat is planted with 4% of it emerged. Only 17% of winter […]
Planting pace in Arkansas for many crops continues to run well behind the average pace. Thirty-five percent of the corn crop has been planted, well behind both last year and the 5-year average. Twenty-three percent of the crop has emerged. Rice planting is 14% complete, nearly 27% behind last year, and 34% behind the 5-year average. Six percent of the crop has emerged. Soybeans are 12% planted, behind last year […]
Cold, wet weather again limited fieldwork in Michigan to a minimum last week. The USDA says winter wheat condition dropped five points to 38 percent good to excellent with nine percent of the crop jointed compared to 55 percent last year. Limited planting of sugarbeets, oats, and potatoes was reported. Fruit development remains slow for growers which has kept damage to a minimum. ...
