Benign Weather Conditions in Ohio Allow for Improved Row Crop Season

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

According to a recent article from the Bucyrus Telegraph Forum, Ohio’s row crops are in better condition at this time than they were a year ago, much in part due to rather benign weather conditions across the state.

Despite recent scattered storms, Ohio weather conditions have allowed for mostly uninterrupted work in the fields, according to the article. Authors of the latest USDA “Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin” say “Producers made significant progress on fieldwork this week due to a combination of low precipitation and favorable temperatures throughout state. Some were able to begin harvesting wheat, but most were preparing equipment with the expectation of harvesting wheat in the next couple of weeks.”

The USDA report also shows that just 1% of winter wheat has been harvested, down from 17% at this time last year. The report also shows most of the state’s corn is in “good” condition (52%), with an additional 30% in excellent condition. Soybean conditions are not in as good of shape, with 63% in “good” condition and 19% “fair.”

“Row crops all remain in good condition, but will need rain in coming weeks to avoid moisture stress,” according to the USDA report. Currently, soil moisture is adequate in 76% of Ohio’s topsoil, with 12% short and 12% surplus. Ohio’s row crops remain in good condition according to the Bucyrus Telegraph Forum and a recent USDA report, but additional rainfall would be welcomed to alleviate moisture stress.