Ohio producers saw a week of drier conditions and temperatures slightly warmer than normal for this time of year, giving them six days to get caught up on making hay, spraying, applying fertilizer and hauling manure.

Warmer temperatures also brought a decline in surplus soil moisture, but crop conditions remain stable with most corn, soybeans, hay and pasture rated good. Soil conditions are still at adequate levels for topsoil and subsoil moisture.

Rainfall amounts ranging from none in some areas to 2.55 inches in others proved to be enough to keep shallow rooted crops going and keep the state free from dry spots on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Weed pressure continues to be a challenge in areas where wet conditions and soft ground limited control opportunities, but some farmers report improvement where recovery efforts were made. In still other parts of the state, excessively dry conditions are a concern.

New data issued by the Farm Service Agency reflect that Ohio farmers reported 26,423 prevented planting acres for 2015 corn and 91,032 prevented planting acres for soybeans. They also reported 10,112 acres of planted and failed crops.

About 61 percent of the corn was rated in the dough development stage, on par with last year at this time. About 17 percent of the crop is dented, slightly above last year at this time.

Soybeans are also slightly ahead of last year at this time, with 98 percent of the crop in bloom and 81 percent setting pods.

Third-cutting alfalfa hay is about half-done, on par with last year at the same time, and most of the second-cutting hay has been harvested. Most of this year’s oat crop has been harvested and straw baled.

Pastures remain in fair to good condition throughout much of the state.