News

Mixed weather and mixed crop conditions during February

The USDA says weather in the Midwest was mixed over the past month, generally warmer and drier than normal. Weekly national crop progress reports resume in April.

In Illinois, 72% of the crop is in good to excellent condition, down 2% on the month, but up 14% from this time last year. Temperatures during February were an average of ten degrees warmer than normal, while precipitation was below usual levels, allowing some producers to get an early start on this year’s fieldwork. 71% of the state reports adequate soil moisture.

71% of Indiana’s wheat crop is in good to excellent shape, up 8% from a month ago, breaking dormancy a little earlier than normal because of warmer than normal weather. Also, pastures are growing, but it is still technically winter and if there’s a cold snap, it would likely cause at least some damage to forages, cover crops, and winter wheat. Soil moisture improved, despite monthly precipitation being an inch below normal.

Aside from a late month blizzard, temperatures in Iowa reached record levels at times during February, and in parts of the state, cover crops are turning green and trees have started to bud. The USDA says there are concerns about the potential for damage from a late winter cold snap. Livestock conditions are generally good, but some stress has been reported. Melting snow and ice has limited grain movement on soft gravel roads and has made feedlots muddy.

Michigan reported record high temperatures and adequate rainfall. The ground has thawed in much of the state and crops have started to break dormancy. 66% of winter wheat is in good to excellent condition, considerably better than this time last year. USDA says there are some concerns about the impact of the warm weather on sugar beet storage piles.

Warm, mild weather during February in Minnesota led to a reduced snowpack, with parts of the state reporting new record highs in the mid-60s. Calving is ongoing and livestock conditions are generally favorable, but wet conditions have made some pastures muddy earlier than usual.

Missouri reports soil moisture levels are much lower than a year ago because of warm, dry weather this winter, including several new record high temperatures. Most of the state had adequate hay, forage, and stock water supplies. 59% of winter wheat is in good to excellent shape, up 11% on the month and 8% on the year.

Temperatures in Nebraska were 6 to 8 degrees warmer than normal, including a run in the 70s in some areas during the second half of the month, allowing some producers to get ready for spring planting. Dry weather has taken its toll on winter wheat with 44% rated good to excellent, compared to 59% a year ago and soil moisture levels are lower. Calving is ahead of last year’s pace and most of the state’s livestock is in good condition.

Ohio’s state USDA office says overall weather for the month was mixed, veering between cold snaps and record highs, and precipitation was mixed, heavier in eastern portions of the state. The monthly average temperature was about 10 degrees above normal and winter crops in much of the state have broken dormancy. 83% of winter wheat is in good to excellent shape and most of the state has adequate soil moisture.

Temperatures in South Dakota were above average for most of February, until a late month snowstorm dropped 6 to 12 inches on parts of the state. Prior to that, the warmer than normal weather melted what snow pack had been in place and made feedlots muddy, leading to some difficulties with calving. Most of the state’s livestock is in good condition with mostly average death loss. 57% of winter wheat is called good, with another 40% reported as fair.

Wisconsin’s weather was mixed, with generally warmer than normal temperatures, including some new record highs, ahead of late month snow in parts of the state. The state USDA office is monitoring winter wheat, alfalfa, and early budding fruit trees for damage. Also, parts of Wisconsin had a short early season run of maple syrup.