COATESVILLE, Ind. – For all intents and purposes, the crop is planted, and in some instances, replanted in west central Indiana, said Coatesville farmer Mark Legan.

“A fair amount of corn and soybeans were replanted around here in the last four weeks,” he told Farm World. “The wet spring has turned into a dry June. We have had very little rain in the past three weeks, and this week (June 17-22) of mid-90-degree temperatures is stressing the corn and soybean crops.

“Wheat harvest has started around this week, 10-14 days ahead of usual,” he added. “Last year showed us a dry June can still result in very good yields, with decent rains and temperatures in July and August. A major difference being the crop went in good soil conditions last year, with adequate root development prior to getting dry.”

Dave Walton, Wilton, Iowa, soybean grower, and American Soybean Association director, told Farm World, “We’ve been done planting for almost a month now. Through most of the planting, we were in decent shape; frequent rains kept us from having a long stretch of planting at any time. Soil conditions were OK, but not great.

“It seemed like they were always a little on the wet side, and needed a few extra days to dry, but weather patterns didn’t allow for it,” he said. “Crop emergence is excellent, and the stands are nearly 100 percent where we’ve checked them. In the immediate area, which is east-central Iowa, most were finished planting on or around June 1, so the June weather didn’t affect planting all that much.”

Dennis Todey, USDA Midwest Climate Hub director in Ames, Iowa, told Farm World, generally, corn and soybean conditions are good in most of the Midwest and Appalachian states.

“There are some states where conditions are not quite as good as of the USDA-NASS (National Agricultural Statistics Service) report Monday (June 17),” he said. “Wisconsin and Illinois are a little lower, probably because of wetness in Wisconsin and more dryness in Illinois. The lack of rain, with increasing heat, is drying soils. We have not reached a critical stage. But there is increased awareness and monitoring conditions.”

He added, “Northern Iowa and north of Iowa have been much wetter, leading to some replant and probably losses in low-lying areas. Wheat continues well ahead of average on progress. Crops continue to make quick progress, with overall warmer-than-average conditions in the region.

“Overall, we are close to the five-year averages on corn and soy,” he said. “A lot of variability by states (in the Midwest and Appalachians), and I would assume by parts of states. Most of the eastern Corn Belt states are ahead of average for both corn and soy. Kentucky and Tennessee are a little the opposite.”

In Indiana, another dry week afforded farmers the opportunity to nearly finish planting, the USDA said. Corn and soybean planting was wrapping up on schedule. First cuttings of hay were also concluding, and many farmers noted a high yield. Winter wheat progress was noticeably ahead of the five-year averages, as 13 percent of the crop had already been harvested.

In Illinois, corn planted reached 97 percent, and corn emerged reached 93 percent. Corn condition was rated 1 percent very poor, to 13 percent excellent. Soybeans planted reached 93 percent, and soybeans emerged reached 85 percent. Winter wheat harvested reached 53 percent, with winter wheat condition rated 1 percent poor, to 16 percent excellent.

In Michigan, a mostly dry week gave producers time to finish some planting across the state. Corn, soybean, and oat planting were all but wrapped up, while dry, edible beans reached 75 percent planted the previous week. Eighty percent of the winter wheat crop remained in good to excellent condition.

In Ohio, warm, dry weather the week of June 10-15 dried soils and allowed for farmers to nearly finish planting. Corn condition was rated 73 percent good to excellent, while soybean condition was rated 70 percent good to excellent. Soybean planting reached 95 percent complete. A few soybean fields were replanted due to slug damage. Winter wheat harvest began, along with hay harvest.

In Kentucky, corn planting was nearing completion, with 87 percent of the crop emerged. In areas that received very heavy rain in prior weeks, corn replanting is necessary, and ponding is still evident. Soybeans are 78 percent planted, with emergence at 65 percent. Both corn and soybean condition are rated mostly good, despite weather obstacles through much of the season.

In Tennessee, producers are closely nearing completion of corn, cotton, and soybean planting. The dry weather permitted producers to harvest winter wheat, and continue baling hay. Corn crops are looking mostly good with quick progression, although there is some concern for the stands’ ability to draw in adequate moisture heading into hotter, drier summer weather.

In Iowa, corn emergence was nearing completion at 95 percent, with corn condition rated 74 percent good to excellent. Eighty-six percent of the soybean crop has emerged. Oats headed reached 74 percent, with 19 percent turning color. The state’s first cutting of alfalfa hay reached 89 percent complete, and hay condition rated 80 percent good to excellent.

Looking at the three-week forecast for the Midwest and the Appalachians, Todey said, “Here is where things start to get interesting. There is a consistent, increased chance of heat over the whole area. Better chances further east and further southeast. Along with this, we have some slightly increased chances for dryness centered mostly in the far eastern Corn Belt. The heat likelihood is much higher than the chances for dryness.

“But that heat issue is a problem as we reach the warmest time of the year, and when we can do the most damage to yields, especially corn,” he added. “The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has mentioned chances for rapid drought intensification in the eastern Corn Belt. This risk exists for most of the region if they don’t get rainfalls. The spring rains helped to refill soil moisture profiles that can help crops deal with periods of dryness.”