The spring that didn’t want to come finally arrived in the Midwest last week, allowing more growers to get into the field. Conditions remain far from ideal but producers are coping, as usual.

Farmers in Nebraska were active into the weekend, with soil temperatures in the 47 to 52 degree range. “Very, very dry,” wrote a Cornhusker from the eastern part of the state who’s 85% planted on corn and 5% done with soybeans. Both fields were rated poor, however.

Another producer in the south central part of the state was just getting started before weekend, with 5% of corn in.

To the north, however, progress remains slow.

“Too cold and wet as of now but conditions are improving,” was the report from southeast South Dakota.  “If the forecast hold should get the corn planting going by May 4 or 5th.”

In Minnesota tractors were still parked as winter lingered. Said a producer in the western part of the state: “Lakes are still covered with ice, so frost in ground will set us back at least another 10 days. Tile lines are not running yet either.”

Even those in far warmer climes felt the wrath of late season cold. Near the Magic Kingdom in Florida a producer who’s long done planted rated fields only fair: “Light frost two weeks ago. Corn uneven and yellow from cold weather.”

What’s happening out your way? Click this Feedback From The Field link to rate crops in your area and provide planting progress in your fields. We’ll update reports with the interactive map below that lets you see what other growers are saying around the country. Click the box in the upper left-hand corner to bring up the weekly index; scroll down to see the most current week.

Feedback From The Field - April 23, 2018 - April ending with cold, wet conditions stalling planting.

Feedback From The Field - April 19, 2018 - Rain, snow, fires and mud – this spring has it all.

Feedback From The Field - April 18, 2018 - Welcome to springtime in the Midwest.

Feedback From The Field - April 16, 2018 - Interactive tool helps growers share conditions.