Previously planted acres across the three counties look good. Some yellowing as the plants develop nodules capable of meeting their nitrogen requirements. Total heat of about 900 is still 175 heat units behind normal. Rainfall varied across the area, with no rainfall in the dry north and an absolute deluge in areas to the south, with up to 150 mm falling in less than 90 minutes in areas north of St. Thomas. Early soybeans are at the 4th trifoliate stage, and will begin flowering next week.
Wheat is into grain fill, with spring cereals heading and beginning pollination.
A few acres still to plant in the soggy south. Compaction from planting too wet this spring continues to haunt all crops. Yellow, stunted areas are common with a variety of nutrient deficiencies and herbicide stresses showing, all traceable to very poor root development. Haying, spraying and sidedressing are the most common field activities. Visual evidence of spray damage is everywhere in the countryside, as contact herbicide programs are more effective with these hot humid weather conditions.