Rain was the enemy of growers hoping to get started planting in April. But May showers are welcomed in some parts of the Midwest and Plains according to this week’s posts on Feedback From The Field.

“Corn planting is rolling along in this area, very dry conditions,” wrote a producer in southern Iowa, which was in “severe drought” in last week’s Drought Monitor. “The rain in the forecast this week is much needed.”

That farmer is 100% planted in corn, one of several from the heart of the Corn Belt who made substantial progress once temperatures warmed.

This Waverly, IL,  grower southwest of the state capital finished planting corn and beans over the weekend: “1400 acre farm, dark fertile soil. First time ever we have all corn and beans planted before May.”

Another producer in eastern Nebraska was 20% planted at the start of the week, ahead of the neighbors. “A rain would be nice. No corn is up in this area,” was that post.

Not all the comments this week came from producers. A farm manager in western Iowa with 100 farms was looking forward to rains: “We have nearly all of our corn planted on those farms this past week and a few bean acres going in too.”

Progress still appears slow in areas outside the central Corn Belt, especially to the northwest and into eastern parts of the growing region. Storms moving through Michigan weren’t cause for celebration by this farmer in the central part of the state: “Ground conditions are very cold.  Ground seems to be drying out fairly nicely but expecting in the rain next two days”

What’s happening out your way? Click this Feedback From The Field link to rate crops in your area and provide planting progress and comments about 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 30, 2018 - More growers get into the field over the weekend.

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.