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Midwest crop conditions, weather vary

The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service says crop conditions during March varied throughout the Midwest.

Conditions in Illinois were a little warmer and drier than normal, with soil moisture levels declining throughout the state. The winter wheat condition rating dipped to 66% good to excellent, down 6% on the month and 1% on the year. Anecdotal reports have spring fieldwork underway in some areas.

After February’s record warmth, Indiana saw a more seasonal weather pattern in March, including scattered snowfall and recurring freeze and thaw conditions, which may have damaged the early emerging winter wheat crop. Any permanent damage or yield loss for winter wheat won’t fully be realized until the crop is harvested. Officially, the state has 70% of winter wheat in good to excellent condition. Pastures are greening and growing.

Dry weather in much of Iowa during the early part of the month allowed for fieldwork, including the application of anhydrous and dry fertilizer, but rain late in the month slowed down that fieldwork and movement of grain. That precipitation missed most of southeastern Iowa, putting producers at a soil moisture deficit ahead of planting. Calving conditions were good, but fluctuating temperatures may have contributed to sickness in some areas.

Michigan was cold and wet for most of March, slowing down fieldwork, but recharging soil moisture. 64% of winter wheat is rated good to excellent, 2% below last month and 10% under a year ago, but in relatively good condition after a warmer than normal winter.

March in Minnesota was warm, dry, and windy for most of the state. The northeastern and northwestern districts did report slightly wetter than normal conditions. Calving and lambing are ongoing and while the warm winter was generally good for livestock, mud has created issues in some areas.

Missouri’s winter wheat condition rating improved by a point to 60% good to excellent. Subsoil moisture levels decreased, but topsoil moved higher thanks to timely rainfall in parts of the state. 81% of Missouri has adequate hay and roughage supplies and 69% has adequate stock water.

Temperatures in Nebraska averaged a couple of degrees warmer than normal and aside from a little bit of scattered snow at mid-month and scattered late month rainfall, March was dry, lowering soil moisture levels. Cattle and sheep conditions also posted month to month declines, but death loss for most of the state was average. 49% of winter wheat is rated fair with 39% called good to excellent, and fieldwork ahead of spring planting is underway way in many counties.

March in Ohio was generally cool and wet, limiting fieldwork. Some areas did report frost damage to winter wheat, but at 79% good to excellent, most of the crop apparently escaped. Severe windstorms at the start of the month and cold temperatures at the end of the month may have caused some damage to fruit crops.

Most South Dakota was warm for much of March, but a winter storm at mid-month did drop 4 to 10 inches of snow in eastern portions of the state. 56% of winter wheat is in good to excellent shape, down 1% on the month, and calving and lambing conditions were generally favorable.

Temperatures and precipitation in Wisconsin were pretty close to normal. The USDA says there are concerns about low sugar content in maple trees and some alfalfa and oat planting has occurred in southern parts of the state.

Weekly national crop progress reports resume Monday, April 3rd at 4 PM Eastern/3 PM Central.

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