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Planting resumes in many areas

After several rain delays, planting activity has resumed in many parts of the central and western Corn Belt.

Bob Hemesath farms near Decorah in northeast Iowa. He says they’ve planted 75 percent of this year’s corn crop.

“We haven’t planted since last Tuesday now. We’ve had about an inch and three-tenths to an inch and a half in the past week. And we had a little shower last night,” Hemesath told Brownfield on Wednesday.  “But he wind is blowing this afternoon so we’re actually going to head out shortly to do a little field cultivating and we hope to get back to planting tomorrow.”

Hemesath says planting conditions have been “tremendous” so far.

AUDIO: Bob Hemesath

Wayne Fredericks of Osage in north central Iowa had all of his corn planted by April 23rd.  He was getting ready to plant soybeans when we talked with him Wednesday afternoon.

“I would say our corn planting in this area is 85 to 90 percent complete—and there are some soybeans in the ground,” Fredericks says. “So there will be rapid progress made and by Mother’s Day, a lot of people might be done.”

Fredericks says last week’s cool temperatures did slow the growth rate of the corn. He says corn planted in mid-April is just starting to emerge.

AUDIO: Wayne Fredericks