Editors' Notebook

OMAHA (DTN) -- Corn and bean fields nationwide, on average, are looking good according to USDA's latest crop progress ratings. Seventy-six percent of the corn is rated good to excellent and 73% of the soybeans are in that category.

But for individual fields, farms and towns, the story might be different. Many areas are dealing with standing water in fields, hail damage, and wind damage -- the trifecta of severe weather.

In south-central Minnesota, Monday brought hail and tornadoes. Mark Nowak of Wells wrote DTN: "As predicted, the gut of the storm rolled down I-90 in south-central Minnesota yesterday afternoon and early evening. High winds and 2.5 to 3.0 inches of rain around the Wells area. Lots of trees down, a few grain bins twisted up and a lot of crop under water.

"The corn got whipped up real bad. Some of the earliest planted corn is showing some green snap, especially on the edge of the field that faced the onslaught of the wind. Some soybeans appear to have been sliced up pretty bad from high wind and the rain. This was definitely a setback to a crop that up until last evening looked really good. Another 1 to 1.5 inches of rain forecast the next 3 days, so there won't be much crop healing before the crop is flooded again."

That tornadic weather Mark saw had passed through Nebraska and Iowa on its way to Minnesota. Karen Johnson of Avoca, Iowa, sent us the following report: "Here in Shelby County just north of I-80 and northwest of Avoca we got 1 1/4 inches of rain overnight. Corn is beginning to grow and look much better after wind and hail here in the last few weeks and beans really needed the rain. We surveyed the area west of Oakland yesterday and on to Council Bluffs. Sad for the farms that lost grain bins, machine sheds, machinery, and sustained damages to their homes, and crops, from huge hail and wind and a tornado a week or so ago in Pottawattamie County. Many farmers were in their fields yesterday replanting crops that had been totaled. We saw several of the huge MidAmerican Energy steel highline poles that had been bent in half and were touching the ground -- all of the above examples a testament of how powerful this storm was.

"Our hearts go out to the residents of Pilger, Neb., for the loss of two people and the loss of most of their beautiful small town. The photos of the twin tornado that devastated that area were unbelievable to see. There have been some powerful storms here in the Midwest the last several weeks and we are due for another round of storms on Thursday.

"Stay safe and heed any weather warnings."

Matt Miller of Kalona, Iowa, says his area mostly dodged the severe weather bullet. "Here in Kalona, we had some wind and about 0.5 inch of rain yesterday afternoon/evening (Monday); the worst went south and east of us. The crops look amazing in this area."

Wisconsin also has seen its share of wild storms this spring. Justin Premo of Watertown wrote:

"Last night (Monday) we had tornados around midnight and straight-line winds with 1-3 inches of rain so far and the possibility to get another 2-4 and more severe storms between now and Sunday.

"Crops around here are all over the map. I have seen beautiful corn fields that are close to canopy, and I have seen fields that are struggling to stay alive and most are somewhere in between. Around the area, 10 miles makes a huge difference from when the corn was planted ... got a pounding 3-4 inch rain a few weeks ago that turned the ground into concrete and leached away the nitrogen. ... those who missed the rain and were looking for a shot of rain but their corn looks great.

"For the dairies that have had the time and conditions to put haylage or baleage up, second crop looks to be a week or two away, but there is still some of first crop out there that guys are waiting to make dry hay out of that is starting to lodge and just have not had more than three days to make it.

"Wheat in the area looks decent, but with the wind last night I have seen some flat spots starting to show. Soybeans are starting to come along but most are emerging, but some were just planted here in the last five days because of the monsoon season of late.

"If Mother Nature can try and not drown us this week my wet holes that were replanted for the second time may not have to take swim lessons and the corn that is yellow and stunted can receive its second dose of nitrogen."

Moving on to Michigan, Phil Carter in New Era reports: "Things are looking pretty good Cheri; there is corn which hasn't emerged yet but the corn up is looking nice and green. Hay harvest is in full swing but a lot of alfalfa is past its prime. I had 1.7 inches of rain last week and ended up getting stuck in the mud mowing sod centers in the apples. That spot has been under water (in the 10-inch-deep ruts) for several weeks. Asparagus harvest is winding down, past its prime, but crop is still behind the 5-year average in terms of production."

In southwestern Indiana, things were finally drying out according to an email from Scott Wallis of Princeton. "A week of dry weather with average to above-average temps has made a lot of difference in the conditions here. Lots of spraying, side dressing and bean planting happening here this past weekend and this week. We finished all 3 of these tasks yesterday and today."

Some parts of Kansas are finally getting some moisture. Stephen Tuttle of Basehor told DTN a dry start has turned over to a wet beginning of June.

"We have had 8 inches of rain since June 1. Corn looks excellent finally, (cold start, late frost/freeze, very dry at first). Corn is at 7-8 leaf collars or 70 inches tall. Soybeans are looking very good, some wet spots are yellowing. They are at the 4-5 trifoliate leaf stage. We need to spray weeds, but soil is wet. Hard red winter wheat is 7-10 days from harvest. Wheat got hurt from dry weather and freeze on May 17. Yields are going to be well below average. No haying going on yet, needs to be cut but wet soils and rain in the forecast. Pastures are in excellent condition, cows and calves look great."

Also in Kansas, Doug Zillinger of Logan reported: "We have taken a nice inch 80 last week on Sunday and had some tough storms with lots of wind damage and tornados on this past Saturday night that yielded anywhere from a 0.50 inch to an inch of rain in the gauge. Corn is anywhere from 2-8 inches tall and the beans are 2-4 inches tall and growing well.

"I was surprised by the number of acres of milo that got put in last week and the amount that needs to get in the ground yet. This is getting late for milo in our area. First crop of alfalfa is mostly in the bale with surprising yields for the year.

"The wheat is turning fast and with the recent rains it is getting real easy to see the burnt spots in the field. Near my house you will see fields that are over half burnt with the rest of it looking like 20 bushel wheat so yields will be low around here. Just 5 miles east, wheat that was a little later maturing is looking to be in the 30-40 bushel range. All in all, our grain warehouses are expecting around 1/3 of a normal crop for this year."

Reporting on the local ag scene can reveal personality quirks. Bob Birdsell of Stanberry, Mo., said although things are going pretty well in his area, there are pessimists.

"The crops are looking good but people are nervous. This is Missouri so they are waiting for the other shoe to drop. It's been a long time since our crops looked this good at this time of year.

"We finished planting beans on Saturday; had to bounce through a few soft spots but they are in. The first beans that were planted needing spraying, but this wind! We also finished AI-ing the cows this weekend. We took a bunch of cows to the auction barn for sale on Tuesday to sell at this price; I decided it wasn't worth just one more calf. Now it is time to try and get some hay put up. Have a safe week!"

Bud Tate says his area of Mississippi might be suffering from split personality, or as Bud put it: "From 'feast to famine' seems to be the picture for us. After a week of rain, the crops are drying out extremely fast. I know we were losing yield on corn that is in pollination, when we don't have water going down the middles about every 4-5 days. Heavier soils are not even dry enough to plant, while the sandier land has some leaves curling by mid-afternoon.

"Ain't it great? Always a challenge."

And to finish off we'll look at the garden spots. In Florida, Jamie Harris can't find anything to complain about. "In the southeast, things are looking good. We've been getting decent rains so even dryland is looking exceptional. We are about 20-30 days from shelling corn. A fungicide was put on last week due to widespread reports of southern rust which can be devastating here if not treated in time. Peanuts and beans are off to a great start as well."

John Moore of Manhattan, Ill., wrote, "Things are looking good in this part of the world. In my area I have heard of some larger farmers finishing up their sidedressing and spraying and getting ready for va-ca. Wish I was going on one but there is this issue of first cutting hay that needs to be attended to. Now what little hay I did get cut early is about ready for second cutting. Overall "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood.'"

If you'd like to join our email consultant group send me your contact info: cheri.zagurski@dtn.com

(AG)

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