Spring Planting Progress Varies Across The Midwest

Like the start of a big NASCAR race or the beginning of a Championship game, farmers in portions of the Upper Midwest began full-scale field work during the week of April 13-19. Farm operators in many portions of the western Corn Belt have reported almost ideal soil conditions for planting; however, rainfall and wet soil conditions during the first half of April has delayed the initiation of major fieldwork in some areas of Iowa and Southern Minnesota. It appears that the 2026 planting season may be similar to last year in much of the Upper Midwest, with fairly favorable corn and soybean planting conditions in the last half of April. Having favorable weather and planting conditions in April is important for getting the corn and soybean crop off to a good start. 
Some areas of the Midwest received some much-needed precipitation in late March and early April, including additional rainfall this past week in some areas. Much of eastern Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and southern Wisconsin has received 2-3 inches of precipitation in the past few weeks, with even higher amounts in localized areas, which has delayed planting progress in these areas. Other areas of southern Minnesota, northern and central Iowa, and eastern South Dakota received more moderate amounts of rainfall. Precipitation amounts have been significantly less in much of the Western Corn Belt, where fieldwork progress is more advanced. 
The recent precipitation followed extremely dry conditions during most of the Winter and in much of March. This continued a dryness pattern across the western Corn Belt has existed since last Fall. In the latest USDA weekly crop report, the percentage of topsoil moisture in various States that was listed as “short” or “very short” included: Nebraska at 79%, Kansas at 60%, and South Dakota at 54%. In other Corn Belt States, Illinois was at 26%, Indiana at 25%, and Minnesota at 22%, with Iowa at 14% in the lower moisture categories. Ohio, Wisconsin, and North Dakota were all at less than 10 %. The levels of top soil moisture are below normal for early in the growing season in most areas of the Western Corn Belt and Plains States. 
Many areas of the Western Midwest and Plains States have remained quite dry in recent weeks. The most recent U.S. Drought Monitor released on April 16 showed that nearly all of Nebraska and the south half of South Dakota were in “severe” to “extreme” drought. Northwest Iowa southern Illinois, southwest and northeast Minnesota, northwest Wisconsin, and much of Kansas were also listed in the “severe” drought category. Portions of central Illinois and Indiana, along with northwest Minnesota, were listed as “abnormally dry”. Most other areas of the Upper Midwest did not register a reading in the latest “U.S. Drought Monitor. 
Soil temperatures during early April have been quite variable in many areas of the Upper Midwest. At the University of Minnesota Research and Outreach Center near Waseca in Southern Minnesota, the 24-hour average soil temperature during the first week of April was near 40 degrees Fahrenheit at the 4-inch level; however, those soil temperatures warmed up to near 55 degrees by April 15, which is a desirable soil temperature for good corn planting and seed germination conditions. Soil temperatures in the Upper Midwest cooled again by April 18, but warmer temperatures are expected in late April. Farmers and agronomists tend to pay close attention to soil temperatures early in the growing season; however, soil temperatures become less of a concern by late April, when date of planting becomes more of a priority. Research has shown that soil conditions at the time of planting may be more critical than soil temperature for getting good germination and early season corn growth. 
Research shows that 50 percent corn emergence will occur in about 20 days at an average soil temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit, which is reduced to only 10 days with an average soil temperature of 60 degrees F. The likely enhancement in soil temperatures certainly provides optimism to have favorable conditions for corn germination and seedling growth. The warmer soil temperatures are also favorable for the initiation of soybean planting, which also occurs in late April and May in many areas. Every year is different, and agronomists encourage producers to adjust to soil conditions and weather forecasts when making corn and soybean planting decisions. 
Unless conditions turn very wet in the next few weeks, a large majority of corn in Minnesota could easily be planted before the end of April or early May this year. Corn planting delays can significantly impact final corn yields. In both 2018 and 2019 a majority of the corn was planted from mid-May until early June. According to the USDA Weekly Planting Progress Report, only 2 percent of the corn in Minnesota had been planted at the end of April in 2019, which was about 15 days behind normal. Minnesota’s corn yield declined from record yield levels in 2015, 2016 and 2017 to 182 bushels per acre in 2018 and only 174 bushels per acre in 2019. In 2023, only 5 percent of the corn was planted by May 1 and the final statewide corn yield of 185 bushels per acre. 
Historically, early planting of corn usually leads to higher-than-normal state average corn yields in Minnesota and other Upper Midwest States. In several years when 50 percent or more of the corn acres in Minnesota have been planted in April or the first week of May, the State has usually set or been near a record corn yield. In 2015, corn planting in Minnesota was 83 percent completed by May 3, resulting in a record yield of 188 bushels per acre, which was followed with 89 percent of the corn planted by May 8 in 2016, again resulting in another record statewide corn yield of 193 bushels per acre. In 2020, when 76 percent of the corn was planted by May 3, the statewide corn yield was 192 bushels per acre, just short of the statewide record corn yield. One exception was in 2017, when most of Minnesota’s corn was planted in the first two weeks of May; however, very favorable growing conditions throughout the year in most areas resulted in a statewide record corn yield that year. 
The record corn yields of 201 bushels per acre in 2025 and 195 bushels per acre in 2022 were somewhat exceptions to the trend of April planting, as Minnesota did not achieve 50 percent of the corn planted until after May 10. It should be noted that a much higher percent of the corn in Southern Minnesota had been planted by May 10 in both of those years, and the counties in the southern third of the State were largely responsible for the record statewide corn yields. In addition, both of those years featured very favorable growing conditions following planting. Another exception was in 2021 when 71 percent of the statewide corn acreage was planted by May 3; however, the 2021 average corn yield in Minnesota was only 178 bushels per acre due to drought conditions in many portions of the State that reduced yields. In areas of the State that received adequate rainfall, the 2021 corn yields were above average to near record levels. 
Traditionally, once farmers have completed planting their corn acres, they move directly into soybean planting; however, in recent years some farmers have went to earlier soybean planting in April. Similar to earlier corn planting dates, research does show that with favorable growing conditions there is a yield advantage to planting soybeans in April or early May, as opposed to planting in late May. A majority of soybean producers in the Upper Midwest strive to plant soybeans in late April and early May; however, the ideal window to plant soybeans and still achieve optimum yields is much wider than with corn. Farmers in many areas have planted soybeans in late May, and even early June, and achieved favorable yield results. 
With the addition of the recent rainfall, soil conditions have been described as “almost ideal” for Spring planting by farm operators and agronomists in many areas the Upper Midwest. Significant amounts of precipitation have slowed planting progress in some areas; however, most crop producers in the region should be able to begin full-scale corn planting once soil conditions are fit. The recent precipitation should also provide adequate topsoil moisture for good corn germination and emergence in most of this region; however some rainfall may be needed in the western Corn Belt. Periodic moderate rainfalls during planting season can be beneficial for good seed germination and early season plant growth. 
For additional information contact Kent Thiesse, Farm Management Analyst Phone - (507) 381-7960; E-mail - [email protected]