Editors' Notebook

Local Field Reports

Cheri Zagurski
By  Cheri Zagurski , DTN Associate Editor
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Boots on the ground and eyes on the fields. That's what we need this time of year to estimate how close we are to starting the 2014 planting season. Planters have been running in the southern U.S., but not much is happening north of those warmer climes.

Here are some emails I've received this week from DTN readers.


Pete Bardole, Jefferson, Iowa

We checked on Monday and we still have frost in the ground; it is thawed down to 18 inches but still frozen below that. We are hoping for some rain this week and that should take it out. Frost ran from 4 to 6 feet deep here this winter and it just takes time to thaw out. That is deeper than usual.


Dave Tollefson, central Minnesota

In central Minnesota where I live, there will be little going on for a couple weeks. Whenever my wheat ground is ready to go (it is my higher, sandier ground) I will get at that. Our local lake Minnewaska is frozen yet to a depth of some 40 inches. Last year the ice cleared out on May 11, a new late record. I hope it is earlier this year, because little field work goes on until the lake is cleared of ice.

Yesterday I talked to a local farmer who winters in Texas; he said corn down there is out of the ground, but only a couple inches tall, where some years it is hip high or better in early April.

Would be fun to know how far north corn planting is occurring at this time.


Phil Carter, New Era, Michigan

It almost hit 60 degrees in west-central Michigan this afternoon; first time since last November. Almost got stuck driving around in corn stubble Saturday (snow is still that deep) if it were not for four-wheel assist on the tractor. It's supposed to turn colder so we won't be planting anything soon, corn won't get started at this rate until who knows when. I've heard several guys saying they are canceling seed corn orders because it won't come up 'til the 4th of July. I hope they were joking.

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Adam Stonecipher, Danville, Ill.

I just got off the phone with a client who is working ground today in east-central Illinois. This particular area would be on some sandier, lighter soils. When we see the first planter start rolling may depend on how much rain we see in the forecast this week.


Kyle Bushman, Cochrane, Wis.

Kyle shared this link to Iowa soil temps history:

extension.agron.iastate.edu/NPKnowledge/soiltemphistory.html


Scott Wallis, southern Indiana

None that I'm aware of here in southwest Indiana if the weather man is correct won't be any planting for 10-14 days we have 2-4 inches in our forecast after about 1 inch Saturday.


Barry Mumby, southwest Michigan

Nothing happening in Michigan yet but very little standing water in the fields given the deep snow we had. Lots of ice on lakes including Great Lakes so big ice cubes to melt!


Bud Tate, Greenwood, Miss.

We had a strong front come through Friday night, dropping 1-3 inches of rain and more coming this weekend. I do have corn up to a stand on 300 acres near Stoneville, Miss. It looks kind of tired, as it has been in the ground a month. Historically, the Delta stops planting corn by April 1 and gets prepared for soybeans, milo, or cotton. Waiting on dry weather to continue.


Bob Birdsell, Stanberry, Mo.

Breezy isn't the word for it; it's a chin strap day here. No planting around here yet; lots of anhydrous going on but that is coming to a stop because it is getting hard to get. Have a good and safe week.


David Kjelstrup, North Dakota

It's 13 degrees & snowing with a 30 MPH wind. I don't need to get my machinery out for quite some time; the forecast is cold for the next week. I'm hauling last year's corn to the ethanol plant.


Doug Zillinger, Logan, Kan.

Not much happening here in northwest Kansas. Been windy every day at 15-20 mph. Very hard wind blowing at this time out of the west and we are getting more dirt blowing each day. The drought is still on.


Stephen Tuttle, Tut Farms, Basehor, Kan.

We are about 7 to 10 days away from planting corn here. Soil temps are still cold (48F); weather forecast more cold temps later this week. Very dry soil. Hard red winter wheat looks poor to fair. Planted late, dry soil and winter kill. Praying for good weather.


Seems like Stephen's got the right idea. Right now about all we can do is appeal to a higher power to move spring along. If you'd like to join this email group of DTN reader/consultants, drop me a note cheri.zagurski@dtn.com. I'd love to include you.

(SK)

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