Could freezing temperatures sour a sweet start to the planting season?
By
John Roach, AccuWeather staff writer
Published May 6, 2020 3:38 PM EDT
The upcoming widespread record low temperatures expected in parts of the Corn Belt this weekend combined with planting that is ahead of schedule in several key states would seem to create the perfect storm surrounding an imperfectly timed storm.
Among the states whose farmers have capitalized on the favorable weather and planted corn early are Iowa (78% planted compared to a five-year average of 46% at this time), Minnesota (76% compared to 36%) and Nebraska (61% compared to 38%), according to the latest statistics from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Crop Progress report.
Could the cold – and possibly freezing – temperatures sour a sweet start to the planting season?
“It’s close to the danger zone, but I think the farmers will escape trouble,” said AccuWeather senior meteorologist Dave Samuhel. “If it were a week later, the same temperatures could be more of a problem because more of the corn will have emerged from the ground.”
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AccuWeather is calling for freezing temperatures of 26 to 28 degrees Fahrenheit in places like Indiana, Ohio and Michigan this weekend. However, the corn planted in those states has essentially yet to emerge from the ground. USDA data shows just 6% of the corn has emerged in Indiana, with none reported in Ohio and Michigan.
“The freeze has to be for a length of time,” said AccuWeather Commodities Consultant Jim Candor. “There could be a little damage to corn in central and southern Illinois where the emergence is a little farther along [9%]. It’s not out of the question that it could get to 30 degrees for a couple of hours in southern Illinois, and that could be a problem.
“But in all of those places, it’s still early so they could always re-plant,” Candor added.
In this photo taken Nov. 12, 2019 photo, cattle and soybean farmer Bob Grove stands in the door of a barn on his farm in Caledonia, Wisconsin. Last year's harvest was hampered by early snow -- could snow and freezing temperatures affect the start of this year's planting season? (AP Photo/Carrie Antlfinger)
Farmers in other states will fare even better since corn planting by this date is below the five-year average in places like Pennsylvania (1% compared to 16%), North Dakota (4 % vs. 19%) and even Ohio (10% compared to 20%).
Unlike corn, recent cold weather in Texas seems to have made an impact on wheat. The condition of wheat in Texas fell sharply from 57 percent rated good-to-excellent down to 50 percent. “It appears now that there is more damage than first expected there,” said Samuhel.
WORLD CROP FORECAST
Here’s AccuWeather’s forecast for world production for corn, soybeans, cotton and wheat.
Corn: 1.130 billion metric tons, which is a 1.5% increase over 2019’s total of 1.113.
Soybeans: 354 million metric tons, a 4.7% increase over 2019 (338.08).
Cotton: 122.85 million (480 lb.) bales, an increase of less than 1% over 2019 (121.71).
Wheat: 758.5 million metric tons, a decrease of less than 1% from 2019 (764.46).
“The U.S. is a big reason why world production for corn is higher than last year,” said Candor.
With cotton, there is concern over the impact the coronavirus will have on consumer spending habits. “People aren’t buying clothes right now,” Candor said. “Is that going to affect demand? Are they going to produce less in Vietnam and other places?"
The alternative is a consideration, as well. “The other question – assuming there is some relaxation on the social distancing guidelines – will people who are holding out buying clothes drive a surge in buying clothes this summer in the Northern Hemisphere?” asked Samuhel.
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios
Report a Typo
News / Business
Could freezing temperatures sour a sweet start to the planting season?
By John Roach, AccuWeather staff writer
Published May 6, 2020 3:38 PM EDT
The upcoming widespread record low temperatures expected in parts of the Corn Belt this weekend combined with planting that is ahead of schedule in several key states would seem to create the perfect storm surrounding an imperfectly timed storm.
Among the states whose farmers have capitalized on the favorable weather and planted corn early are Iowa (78% planted compared to a five-year average of 46% at this time), Minnesota (76% compared to 36%) and Nebraska (61% compared to 38%), according to the latest statistics from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Crop Progress report.
Could the cold – and possibly freezing – temperatures sour a sweet start to the planting season?
“It’s close to the danger zone, but I think the farmers will escape trouble,” said AccuWeather senior meteorologist Dave Samuhel. “If it were a week later, the same temperatures could be more of a problem because more of the corn will have emerged from the ground.”
CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP
AccuWeather is calling for freezing temperatures of 26 to 28 degrees Fahrenheit in places like Indiana, Ohio and Michigan this weekend. However, the corn planted in those states has essentially yet to emerge from the ground. USDA data shows just 6% of the corn has emerged in Indiana, with none reported in Ohio and Michigan.
“The freeze has to be for a length of time,” said AccuWeather Commodities Consultant Jim Candor. “There could be a little damage to corn in central and southern Illinois where the emergence is a little farther along [9%]. It’s not out of the question that it could get to 30 degrees for a couple of hours in southern Illinois, and that could be a problem.
“But in all of those places, it’s still early so they could always re-plant,” Candor added.
In this photo taken Nov. 12, 2019 photo, cattle and soybean farmer Bob Grove stands in the door of a barn on his farm in Caledonia, Wisconsin. Last year's harvest was hampered by early snow -- could snow and freezing temperatures affect the start of this year's planting season? (AP Photo/Carrie Antlfinger)
Farmers in other states will fare even better since corn planting by this date is below the five-year average in places like Pennsylvania (1% compared to 16%), North Dakota (4 % vs. 19%) and even Ohio (10% compared to 20%).
Unlike corn, recent cold weather in Texas seems to have made an impact on wheat. The condition of wheat in Texas fell sharply from 57 percent rated good-to-excellent down to 50 percent. “It appears now that there is more damage than first expected there,” said Samuhel.
WORLD CROP FORECAST
Here’s AccuWeather’s forecast for world production for corn, soybeans, cotton and wheat.
Corn: 1.130 billion metric tons, which is a 1.5% increase over 2019’s total of 1.113.
Soybeans: 354 million metric tons, a 4.7% increase over 2019 (338.08).
Cotton: 122.85 million (480 lb.) bales, an increase of less than 1% over 2019 (121.71).
Wheat: 758.5 million metric tons, a decrease of less than 1% from 2019 (764.46).
“The U.S. is a big reason why world production for corn is higher than last year,” said Candor.
With cotton, there is concern over the impact the coronavirus will have on consumer spending habits. “People aren’t buying clothes right now,” Candor said. “Is that going to affect demand? Are they going to produce less in Vietnam and other places?"
The alternative is a consideration, as well. “The other question – assuming there is some relaxation on the social distancing guidelines – will people who are holding out buying clothes drive a surge in buying clothes this summer in the Northern Hemisphere?” asked Samuhel.
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios
Report a Typo