Michigan farmers are making good progress on field tillage, and many are well under way planting corn despite freeze events and colder-than-normal temperatures that have slowed progress in some areas.

According to the latest agricultural summary from the Michigan field office of the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), growers in southeastern Michigan were the exception, where some additional corn and a few soybean acres were planted.

In southwestern Michigan, Michigan State University extension educator Bruce Mackellar reported fields had dried enough after recent rains for farmers to resume work.

“Cold nighttime temperatures – with several light frosts – continue to keep soil temperatures around the 50-degree mark. Planting for corn and soybeans has resumed, but the cold conditions have kept many growers wondering if they should wait a bit to put the majority of their corn and soybeans in the ground,” he reported.

According to Paul Gross, extension educator in central Michigan, corn planting is just getting started in his area.

“Soil temperatures are beginning to creep up to near 50 degrees. The region is still experiencing below-freezing temperatures on many mornings. The cool temperatures have limited crop growth. The warmer weather predicted next week, along with the calendar, will get the planters rolling,” Gross wrote in his April 26 Crop Advisory Team Alert.

Michigan’s wheat growth is still ahead of normal because of the state’s warm weather in March, according to NASS. Wheat in the southwest was in Feekes’ stage 7. Some nitrogen application injury was noted and appeared worse than normal due to cool temperatures.

Sugar beet emergence has been aided by rain and little replanting is anticipated at this time.

Many Corn Belt row crop farmers, inspired by favorable early spring weather conditions, elected to plant corn early this year. The trend was evident in Illinois, where some were paid a visit by Jack Frost during the wee hours of the morning the week preceding April 23.

According to the NASS Illinois Weather & Crops report, frost conditions continued in northern parts of the state with wheat, hay and emerged corn showing signs of damage.

Corn progress across the state had reached 59 percent planted and 21 percent emerged, compared to just 10 percent planted and 1 percent emerged in 2011. Five percent of the state’s soybean acreage had been planted, ahead of last year’s 2 percent estimate, according to the report.

In central Illinois, farmers have largely enjoyed a smooth planting season with little crop damage, with some areas reporting a lack of needed precipitation in recent weeks.

“Planting has progressed exceptionally well in Peoria County, with a few farmers trying their hand at a March corn planting, probably for the first time,” said Patrick Kirchhofer, manager of the Peoria County Farm Bureau.

“Some farmers have completed corn planting and are just waiting for showers and warmer temperatures before planting soybeans. This spring’s weather has been quite the contrast to the past couple of spring planting seasons, as it has been dry and unusually warm, especially in March.

“Soil conditions have been ideal. With the great spring weather, acreage planted to corn is going to remain strong, as it has also been the most profitable crop for farmers in recent years. The spring planting season is off to a great start,” Kirchhofer said.

In Woodford County, Farm Bureau Manager Jolene Neuhausen said corn planting is “virtually done” but the area was in dire need of precipitation as of Friday. “We have not had any rain to speak of. We can handle a very nice rain. Like they say, ‘plant in dust and your beans will bust.’ I’m not sure if that’s true, but we need some rain.”

After having summer in March, chilly days in April and a long dry spell, Hoosier farmers were able to get a jump on planting this year with 42 percent of the corn crop planted in the northern part of the state and up to 50 percent in the southern section.

“But it’s just so doggoned dry,” said Akron area farmer Dick Rader. Still, he said some of his corn has emerged “just a little bit.”

In Johnson County, south of Indianapolis, corn had emerged to 3-4 inches by Saturday.

Overall, NASS’ West Lafayette field office estimated 46 percent of the corn crop had been planted by April 22, up 24 percent from the previous week and 2 percent from last year.

Likewise, soybean planting is ahead, with 11 percent planted. Last year at this time, no beans had been planted.

NASS statistics on soil moisture and days suitable for fieldwork validated Rader’s concerns about dry weather. With five days suitable for fieldwork last week, 59 percent of the topsoil showed adequate moisture while only 9 percent showed surplus. Subsoil shows 4 percent as being very short.

Rader also expressed concern about wheat, which shows some weak spots. According to NASS, frost caused some damage; however, the field office said 61 percent of the winter wheat is good and 58 percent of pastures are good.