Eastern Midwest Harvesting Delays

October 28, 2011

Widespread frost developed Friday morning in the Eastern Corn Belt, the first freeze of the season. Corn was not entirely ripe in Ohio, Indiana and Michigan, from very delayed planting.  Of the 3 states,  Ohio corn was most vulnerable to damage with 76% mature October 23.  Temperatures fell to 29F - 31 F , perhaps not cold enough for a freeze-kill. 

The bigger concern is delayed harvesting.   Wet field conditions have developed in October,  retarding crop drying  as well.   Corn was 14% harvested in Ohio, 20% in Michigan and 42% in Indiana.  Soybean harvesting was further along, 45% to 68% complete  October 23 in the USDA crop progress report.

Drought west of the Mississippi has encouraged very rapid crop drying and harvesting in Minnesota, South Dakota, Iowa, Missouri and Illinois.   Soybeans have suffered more than corn with late-season drought and are apt to make a reduced yield.

Welcome Moisture in Hard Red Winter Wheat, Crop Development Delayed

Hard red winter wheat field moisture has improved with rain and snow this week.  The central Texas panhandle and western Oklahoma received precipitation from .25 inch - .80 inch.   Heavy snow  produced .50 inch of moisture in northeast Colorado and western Nebraska, also key winter wheat growing areas.

Delayed planting and development of hard red winter wheat is troubling, indicative of  reduced yield potential.  It is the second year in a row of drought.  

Texas wheat planting was only  63% complete October 23,  while 26% of the crop was sprouted and "emerged" .  Oklahoma wheat was 82% planted and 50% emerged.  Kansas conditions were relatively better, but still slow with 92% seeded and 70% emerged.   

Frosty nights in the Great Plains this week have further retarded wheat growth.

Ukraine Drought Stifling Winter Grains

Ukraine winter grains face the same challenges as winter wheat in the US Southern Great Plains, behind normal developmentally and still struggling with serious drought.     Ukraine conditions have been unusually cold and dry the past 2 weeks.   

Soon crops will go dormant as the daytime temperatures have fallen to mid 40s F with 30s F at night.    The last important rain occurred early in October.  Thus, growing conditions are both cold and dry.