Planting 2018 vs. Planting 2017

April continues with little progress in the field, but farmers have planting on their mind. Across the Corn Belt some growers are getting anxious, while others take a more laid-back approach.

Scrolling through social media, it’s clear the 2018 planting season looks a lot different than last year.

A report published Wednesday, April 18, 2018, by Kyle Tapley of Radiant Solutions says, “April 2018 is expected to finish up as the coldest April in the U.S. Corn Belt since 1950.”

His data suggests, “While a cold April can contribute to significant planting delays, it alone is not enough to guarantee late planting of the corn crop in the U.S.”

Iowa

Last year, Jerry Groth in Ida Grove, Iowa, started his planting season on April 8, 2017. Snow covered the ground exactly a year later. More snow showers are in the forecast for the area today.

#plant17 started 1 year ago today. #plant18 on hold. pic.twitter.com/ag8DHlyyC4

— Jerry Groth (@GrothJerry) April 8, 2018

Corinne Row had cattle grazing on lush green grass on April 14 in central Iowa last year. Now conditions are quite different.

Photo taken 4/14/2017 when we turned our cows out on pasture. Today it's 32°, rain and snow mixture in Central Iowa and no grass is growing. pic.twitter.com/vB08DjUnnB

— Corinne Rowe (@RoweKidsandCows) April 18, 2018

Maps from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet indicate dramatic differences in soil temperature between the last two seasons.

Look at the difference in Iowa's soil temperature this year versus last year. In some cases, it is 25°F. colder in 2018. By this map, 0% of Iowa is ready for #plant18. Fieldwork ideally starts when temps are closer to 50. Snow free would help, too. #Corn will have to wait. pic.twitter.com/lOxt6chUIp

— Karen Braun (@kannbwx) April 16, 2018

Planting looks a way off for farmers who still have snow on the ground. Winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories are in effect for the northern part of the state.

“A wintry mix of precipitation is expected on the southern edge into portions of central Iowa, as well,” the NWS said in a report early Wednesday morning.

Nebraska

In other parts of the Corn Belt, planting season is on hold due to soil temperatures. Tapley’s report shows current soil temperatures between 30°F. and 40°F. for most of the state of Nebraska.

Polk Co. #Nebraska still in a holding pattern based on soil temps #corn #plant18

— Matthew Wiegand (@mjwiegand) April 18, 2018

The most recent USDA Crop Progress report indicates Nebraska corn planting is just 2% behind where it was last year at this time.

Maybe more concerning in Nebraska are the oat statistics. In 2017 at this time, 65% of the oat crop was planted and 23% had emerged. So far, just 35% of the Nebraska oat crop is in the ground with 4% emerged.

Illinois

Corn needs soil temperatures in the 50s to support germination. Tapley predicts the soil to reach those levels in Missouri and Illinois by next week.

So far on Jenny Schweigert’s Illinois farm rearranging the machine shed is the extent of planting progress. While their cropping operation is small, her family was within days of finishing the planting season on this day a year ago.

This year the machine shed has been rearranged...then rearranged again...and again. #Plant18

— Jenny Schweigert (@JenSchweigert) April 18, 2018

Corey Ritter farms in central Illinois. Last year at this time he and his family were in the cab planting together. He hopes to be in the field by the end of the week.

One year ago I had a cab full, today it’s quiet and waiting to roll. Maybe in 24-36 hours we will start #plant18 here in central IL pic.twitter.com/F7TG8zHSVA

— Cory (@CoryRitter) April 18, 2018

Rob Sharkey was also planting at this time last year, but he isn’t stressing. “I don’t worry about what I can’t control,” says the Illinois farmer.

I started planting by this time last year, but it's not fit yet this year. This is my 22nd crop, I don't worry about what I can't control.
I'll get it planted, it'll grow, then I'll harvest it

— SharkFarmer (@sf28430) April 18, 2018

Indiana

Brian Scott raises corn, soybeans, popcorn, and wheat in Indiana. He is also patiently waiting for planting conditions to be right.

We started 4/28 last year. #Plant18 looks fine. We'll start when the soil is ready for us to start. You only get one shot at this so we're patient.

— Brian Scott (@thefarmerslife) April 18, 2018

No corn planting activity was reported for Indiana in the Crop Progress Report.

While current soil moisture is close to average for this time of year, soil temperatures in Indiana are 15°F. below the 10-year average.

Soil moisture across the region continues to be at or slightly above normal heading into #Plant18, while soil temperatures are well below normal: 15-20 degrees cool! #INwx #ILwx #OHwx #IAwx #AGwx pic.twitter.com/st9k2q9Xn2

— TDS Weather (@TDSwx) April 17, 2018

Ohio

Ohio farmer Charlie Maag will not be planting today, either. On April 17, 2017, his family started the planting season. A dusting of snow covered fields a year later.

A year ago today we were starting #plant17. Safe bet #plant18 will not be starting today. pic.twitter.com/JqcPovQ38X

— Charlie Maag (@CharlesMaag) April 17, 2018

Mike Plotner recalls putting down potash this time last year.

Year ago today I was putting potash on and trying Auto Steer for the first time pic.twitter.com/O1myFVO8ip

— Mike Plotner (@plotner_mike) April 18, 2018

While no corn planting has been reported in the state so far, that is typical for this time of year according to the five-year average.

North Dakota

Paul Anderson in North Dakota has a unique approach in hopes of speeding along planting season on his farm. After a recent blizzard, he took to the field with a harrow to disrupt the flat reflective surface of the snow.

“I want the snow to melt to become water for the crop and the sun to warm my soil to plant my seeds on time,” he tweeted. Anderson is documenting his “snowtill” progress on Twitter.

#snowtill pic.twitter.com/uW8Jqj9cl8

— Paul R. Anderson (@ndcorngrower) April 15, 2018

According to the crop progress report, North Dakota does not usually have corn in the ground at this point.

South Dakota

Chet Edinger farms near Mitchell, South Dakota. This week last year, Edinger was applying fertilizer and checking his emerged spring wheat. This year, his planter is still covered in snow.

Pic was taken 4/17/17. My farming buddy riding along while I was was putting down NH3, APP & ATS.

2nd pic taken 4/18/17 again farm buddy checking out our emerged spring #wheat pic.twitter.com/1isKP65FRG

— Chet Edinger (@ChetEdinger) April 18, 2018

Another #snow pic of #plant18. 16” this weekend and another 6” today. Looking forward to warm & dry next week. #SDwx pic.twitter.com/1JBpGH3PIx

— Chet Edinger (@ChetEdinger) April 18, 2018

This morning looked more like Christmas than planting season on Chris Breen’s South Dakota farm.

Probably get rolling this afternoon... pic.twitter.com/lsLwPLHLJ0

— Christopher Breen (@BreenAcres) April 18, 2018

Tapley calls for more snow in eastern South Dakota over the coming days.

New York

Pete Kemmeren was hoping to spread manure this week, just like he did last year. Mother Nature had a different idea.

I kinda wanted to spread manure this week but ok... pic.twitter.com/Jw6IMjHqyh

— Pete Kemmeren (@KemmerenPete) April 18, 2018

I was spreading manure, it must have been warmer than today because the windows are down in the picture. pic.twitter.com/TxG5CRoRM4

— Pete Kemmeren (@KemmerenPete) April 18, 2018