Spotty Rainfall Disrupts Planting Season

The 2024 planting season has proven to be exceptionally challenging for farmers across the Midwest due to inconsistent and heavy rainfall, reminiscent of the tumultuous spring of 2019.

"Everybody did get rained on, but it was spotty," says Todd Schaumberg, agronomist for Tilth Agronomy. "Some areas received very, very heavy amounts, while others experienced just heavy bouts, but not as much. Consequently, we have farmers who are nearly done planting and others who have barely started."

The disparity in rainfall has led to uneven planting progress, with significant portions of corn and soybeans still needing to be sown. 

"Even the corn that is ahead isn't as far along as we'd usually expect," Schaumburg says. "There's still time for later-planted crops to catch up, but it will depend heavily on the weather conditions over the next few weeks."

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