While many Southern farmers are shattering speed records for the 2026 planting season, planters are sidelined for many farmers in the Midwest who are facing wet conditions. For the father-and-son duo of Dave and Chris Harrell, the 2026 season is off to a slow start. However, the corn and soybean farmers in Hancock County think the slight setback could be a setup for a successful season later.
“[There’s] little to nothing going on at all this week,” Chris Harrell said April 17.
“I know we’ve had roughly five-and-a-half inches in the last in the last two weeks,” he adds. The Harrells received 2 more inches of rain and storms last weekend.
The nation’s corn crop is currently 11% planted, sitting 2 points ahead of the five-year average. Much of that momentum is coming from Illinois and Indiana, which both had a big week in the field. Illinois is now 13% planted, and Indiana follows closely at 14%. However, the western Corn Belt is seeing a different pace. Iowa is off to a slow start, with just 2% of its corn crop in the ground as of this week.
Soybean planting is moving even faster relative to historical norms. Nationally, soybean planting is 7 points ahead of the five-year average at 12% of the soybean crop planted.
Harrell says farmers south of his family’s farm in Carthage, Ill., are further along planting. The Harrells planted one field of beans March 30 before rain paused their efforts. With 40 years of experience under his belt, Dave Harrell thinks the rain won’t set them back too far and that it will helpful in the weeks to come.
“We’ve got ample time,“ Dave says. “You know, it’s still middle of April, so we’ll be fine.”
Navigating the Bottom Line: Diesel and Inputs
While the rain may eventually prove to be a blessing in disguise for yields, input costs, specifically fuel, are weighing heavily on the books. According to AAA, the average diesel price in Illinois this week is approximately $1.80 higher than it was this time last year.
“The diesel prices, I think, is No. 1 top of mind subject right now,“ Chris explains. “I mean, the price of corn’s gone up with it, but I think a lot of farmers would say it’s not gone up enough to offset some of it.”
To combat these rising costs, Dave is utilizing strip-till practices. He also relies on early contracts to lock in fuel prices.
“We lucked out and had some contracted to kind of cover our spring needs, so we’ll be OK through the spring,” he says.
Finding Opportunity in Non-GMO Premiums
In addition to conventional corn and soybeans, the Harrells also plant non-GMO corn from Wyffels. While the process requires more management, Dave said the financial upside makes it a win-win situation.
“It’s a little extra work on segregation and storage and clean out,” Chris says. “You just kind of have to have a little checklist and get through it all, but the premiums are nice, especially in a tougher environment like this.”
Looking Ahead
As the fields in Carthage begin to dry out, a new challenge has emerged: High winds are currently preventing spraying operations. However, the Harrells are rolling with the punches, expecting farmers in their area to potentially move back into full-scale fieldwork by Wednesday.
Historic Gains in the Corn Belt South
According to latest USDA reports, corn planting in Kentucky and Tennessee is moving at its fastest rate since 2012. The numbers tell a story of an efficient window:
- Tennessee — Farmers have 64% of the corn crop in the ground, which is a massive 40-point jump ahead of the five-year average and 42 points ahead of last year.
- Kentucky — Growers are nearly halfway finished, sitting roughly 30 points ahead of the normal pace.
Soybeans See Record-Setting Pace
The speed isn’t limited to corn. Soybean planting is also rewriting the record books in the Deep South:
- Louisiana — Leading the pack at 58% planted, which is 26 points ahead of average and the fastest pace in USDA history.
- Mississippi — Currently at 55% planted, running 32 points ahead of the usual pace, another record.
- Tennessee — Soybean planting has hit the 50% mark, 41 points ahead of the historical average.
The ‘Dry’ Reality: Farmers Forced to Wait
While the dry weather allowed for uninterrupted field time early on, the lack of moisture is now a major hurdle. David Hula says for growers in the Southeast, the dust has become too much.
“We’ve been dry all season so far, and we actually stopped planting because we’ve been so dry,” Hula says. “Can’t just get the planter in the ground, but it’s the first top, the first planting window. We waited till things warmed up, you know; I’m very diligent and patient about that, and all that corn has come up awesome.”
He says they stopped planting last Thursday, and there’s no measurable rain in the forecast.
“I don’t know when we’re gonna get started back,” Hula says.
Pocket of Extreme Drought
The topsoil moisture maps highlight a stark reality for the region. In a corridor stretching from Virginia to Georgia, topsoil rated “short to very short” in ranges from 83% to a staggering 97%. It has become one of the driest pockets in the country, creating a sharp contrast to the Midwest.
