Cold temperatures helped usher in the month of May, a frustrating trend for farmers waiting for warmer soils to plant this year’s crops. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey warns the colder-than-normal temperatures could stick around and possibly create further delays in planting progress.
“We have a pretty deep trough of low-pressure that’s kind of parked over the Midwest right now, which is leading to below-normal temperatures,” Rippey says.
He says while the trough isn’t bringing a lot of moisture, the cold temperatures aren’t ideal for planting.
“It doesn’t look like that pattern is going to break anytime soon, so for the next couple of weeks, we might even see that pattern intensifying across the Midwest. That means significantly below normal temperatures, occasional showers and fieldwork delays,” Rippey explains.
Planting Problems
The cold weather pattern can be hard on seed corn, according to Ken Ferrie, Farm Journal Field Agronomist. In a recent “Boots in the Field” update, Ferrie pointed out that when soil temperatures are below 50°F, cold seed cells have little elasticity, so as they take on moisture instead of swelling, they tear.
“This is what we call seed chilling, and it can take 7% to 10% out of your corn stand,” Ferrie says.
As more farmers become anxious to get this year’s crop in the ground, Rippey’s short-term forecast isn’t optimistic. He says the cooler temperatures will blanket much of the Midwest, particularly the Great Lakes region. The agricultural meteorologist says he’s watching for frosty conditions similar to what hit the Midwest a week ago. He says the cold to come could even reach the Central Plains.
“As we move into May that’s a consideration for heading winter wheat that can be harmed by frost and freezes and also for any emerging summer crops, especially as we get into the next couple of weeks and more crops begin to emerge. Any of the early planted corn in states such as Missouri, we will have to watch that overlap of where we have emerged summer crops and potentially frosty conditions,” Rippey says.
Rippey is also keeping a close eye on the flooding along the Upper Mississippi River. As the snowmelt works its way through the system, he thinks the flood threat diminishes, at least for that area, in May.
