WASHINGTON, D.C. – Significant rain fell in parts of the Corn Belt, and, coupled with cool weather, had slowed Midwest fieldwork, according to the USDA’s Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin for April 26 through May 2.

Released May 5, the report said farther west, little, if any, rain fell on the parched central and southern High Plains, maintaining major concerns for drought-stressed rangeland, pastures and winter wheat. The report added Mobridge, S.D., measured a record-setting low (22 degrees Fahrenheit) for May 1, and May 2 featured daily-record lows in Rockford, Ill. (27 degrees), and South Bend, Ind. (28 degrees).

By April 27, the report said, daily records ranged from 2 to 4 inches of rain in locations such as Springfield, Ill., (3.62 inches); Kansas City, Mo., (3.21 inches); Topeka, Kan., (2.78 inches); and Lincoln, Ill., (2.7 inches), which included some hail. On April 28, downpours spread into the South, where daily-record totals reached 3.49 inches in Memphis, Tenn., the report added.

In the USDA’s May 4 Crop Progress Report, U.S. corn and soybean planting was ahead of the five-year average, with 38 percent of corn, and 33 percent of soybeans planted. Winter wheat is 49 percent headed, and at 31 percent, good/excellent; 32 percent fair; and 37 percent poor/very poor. Spring wheat is at 32 percent planted, while oat planting is at 63 percent planted.

Justin Glisan, State of Iowa Climatologist at the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, told Farm World drier soils have allowed for quicker planting progress across the southern and eastern parts of the Corn Belt.

“Early- to mid-April wetness slowed some progress in Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin,” he said. “Overall, planting delays are not a major concern yet. Recent temperatures have been cooler than average across much of the Corn Belt. Apart from parts of the eastern Corn Belt, rainfall totals have been below normal over the last week (ending May 2).”

In Indiana, the progress report said corn planted was at 42 percent and emerged at 19 percent. Soybeans planted was at 44 percent and emerged at 20 percent. Winter wheat headed at 14 percent, and winter wheat condition was 2 percent very poor to 13 percent excellent.

In Illinois, corn planted was at 38 percent and emerged at 24 percent. Soybeans planted was at 46 percent, and emerged at 26 percent. Winter wheat headed at 56 percent, and winter wheat condition was 67 percent.

In Michigan, corn planted was at 5 percent and had not yet emerged. Soybeans planted was at 3 percent and had not yet emerged. Sugar beets planted at 10 percent, and winter wheat had not yet headed. Winter wheat condition was at 1 percent very poor to 10 percent excellent.

In Ohio, corn planted was at 33 percent and emerged at 12 percent. Soybeans planted was at 30 percent and emerged at 10 percent. Winter wheat headed at 1 percent, and winter wheat condition was at 53 percent.

In Kentucky, corn planted was at 77 percent and emerged at 45 percent. Soybeans planted was at 61 percent and emerged at 30 percent. In Tennessee, corn planted was at 87 percent and emerged at 70 percent. Soybeans planted was at 69 percent and emerged at 42 percent. Cotton planted was at 25 percent.

In Iowa, corn planted was at 42 percent complete and emerged at 2 percent. Soybean planted was at 27 percent and emerged at 1 percent. Oats planted was at 88 percent and emerged at 58 percent.

Glisan said outlooks through the end of May indicated an increased likelihood of warmer temperatures from the western Corn Belt to the Appalachians: “Wetter conditions are also more likely from western Iowa to the western Corn Belt, while a drier pattern is expected from the eastern Corn Belt to the Appalachians.”