Rain and Snow in Forecast Likely to Further Slow U.S. Corn Planting
Corn planting will likely continue to be delayed as ominous weather heads towards the Midwest
A recent Reuters article looks into this week’s rain and snow-filled forecast and explains why farmers may be another week delayed in trying to make up lost corn planting production across much of the Midwest. The cold snap that has spread across the Midwest this spring has slowed corn production significantly according to the latest USDA report, and this upcoming weather will likely pose additional short-term planting challenges for corn producers.
The article indicates heavy rainfall and even snow in some parts of the western two-thirds of the U.S. Midwest and eastern plains will further slow corn plantings that are far behind yearly averages to this date. Don Keeney, a meteorologist for MDA Weather Services explains in the Reuters article that snow is likely from Nebraska, eastern Colorado, Kansas, and into the northern Midwest with up to a foot of snow possible in Iowa, one of the leading corn-producing states.
Keeney says, "The area affected is generally from Illinois westward and it will definitely put a halt to any additional planting. Drier weather is expected next week but temperatures will remain below normal, slowing seedings and slowing plant germination and growth.”
The latest USDA report shows the current 5 percent corn planting completion pace was a huge drop from 49 percent during the same week a year ago, leaving farmers with the challenge of battling Mother Nature to get back up to speed with average production rates.