How are the ponds in your field? Are you wet or dry, or is that a silly question. USDA began the week with the first weekly crop update, but it did not say much because of the moisture throughout the Cornbelt that has kept most farmers out of the field. From a bird’s eye view, we’ll tour the Cornbelt and check on soil moisture and get a crop report.

The National Agricultural Statistics Service keeps track of progress throughout the growing season.

ILLINOIS: Not much was accomplished last week, since the state averaged about one hour suitable for any fieldwork. Topsoil moisture is 72% surplus. Oat planting is 13%, but the 5 year average is 60% by this time. 87% of the winter wheat is fair to good. Wet fields, flooding, and above average rainfall has been the norm so far.

INDIANA: Only 6 hours reported suitable for fieldwork last week for a statewide average, with 74% of the topsoil having surplus moisture. 82% of the winter wheat is fair to good. Some nitrogen has been applied to wheat where possible, but some producers have used aerial equipment.

IOWA: Last week provided less than a half day suitable for fieldwork across Iowa. Topsoil moisture is 53% surplus and 47% adequate, with 62% of the subsoil having adequate moisture. 55% of fertilizer applications are complete, but windy, wet conditions have kept producers out of the fields. Rural roads are becoming a problem for grain trucks because of poor weather and surface conditions.

KANSAS: Farmers had 2.2 days suitable for fieldwork last week, because of drier soils, which are reported 66% adequate moisture and only 24% surplus. 23% of the wheat is jointed, compared to 75% last year, and 72% of it is in fair to good condition. So far very little of the wheat has not suffered any wind or freeze damage. Some corn planting has begun. 92% of the oats are planted and 73% of the pasture is fair to good condition, with forage supplies rated 79% adequate.

MICHIGAN: 1 day was suitable for fieldwork in the past week, since 65% of the topsoil has surplus moisture. Subsoil moisture is 98% adequate to surplus. The weather has been overly wet and cool and saturated fields have hindered any field operations. Pasture conditions are 70% fair to good, but soggy.

MINNESOTA: Only a couple hours were suitable for fieldwork last week. Topsoil moisture is rated 63% adequate and 31% surplus, with the subsoil moisture about the same. 2% of corn ground and 1% of bean has been worked, which is about average. A 10+ inch snow has set fieldwork back a bit, with 30 inches in some northern locations last Friday.

MISSOURI: Nearly a day was suitable for fieldwork last week, in part because of cold, rainy conditions and soil moisture that is 54% surplus and 46% adequate. Tillage is 16% complete compared to a 54% five year average. Pastures are 68% fair to good. The only progress being made in fieldwork is in western MO, but southeastern MO reports flooding conditions that have destroyed wheat.

NEBRASKA: A strong 2 days were available for fieldwork last week due to drier soils than the eastern Cornbelt. 65% of the soil reportedly has adequate moisture and only 20% has surplus moisture. The subsoil is a bit drier. 38% of the oats have been planted; and 86% of the wheat is fair to good. The past week brought some heavy rains and up to a foot of snow in some locations. But cold soils have prevented planting, germination, and good plant growth. Livestock conditions are generally good.

NORTH DAKOTA: Over 60% of the state reports soil moisture that is more than 60% short, and about the same for subsoil moisture. This has kept pasture in dormancy, but forage supplies remain adequate. 3% of the durum wheat has been planted, which is about average. Planting activity has been slowed by dry soil in the western part of the state and snow cover in the eastern part of the state. Livestock conditions were reported as being satisfactory.

OHIO: About 2 days were available for field work, despite wet soils that have 64% surplus moisture. Some oat planting has occurred, but most of the state is too wet for fieldwork and tillage. Some of the wheat has been top-dressed, and alfalfa has been seeded. Only 7% of the oats have been planted, compared to a 21% five year average. 6% of the wheat is jointed, on track with last year. 71% of the pastures are fair to good and livestock are satisfactory.

SOUTH DAKOTA: Less than a full day was suitable for fieldwork last week, due to a major winter storm, which left heavy snows, complicating calving and lambing last week.. 71% of the topsoil has adequate moisture, and 19% is in a surplus condition. 72% of the winter wheat has broken dormancy, slightly behind the average. Spring seeded barley and wheat have yet to emerge. About 80% of the pasture is in fair to good condition.

WISCONSIN: Soils are wet in Wisconsin with 48% having surplus moisture and the rest has adequate moisture, but no fieldwork was underway last week due to continued snow, rain, and muddy conditions. A few oats are in the ground, but not enough to reach 1% for the state.

HAWAII: (Just for comparison purposes) There were 7 days available for fieldwork, soil moisture is adequate, and all crops are in perfect condition, but field work will be coming to a halt due to volcanic emissions and smoke that have necessitated evacuation.

Summary:
Cornbelt agriculture has a slow start this spring because of cold, wet soils, above normal rains, and some snow cover. Not enough corn has been planted to move the scale. In the northern Cornbelt spring seeded small grains have not emerged, while in the southern stretch, wheat has begun to joint. Apparently, the 2008 growing season will begin with a plentiful supply of topsoil and subsoil moisture.