#Plant2025 for Success
You’ve weighed the agronomics and the economics — and now the planter is rolling. The decisions don’t stop, though. The weather changes plans, equipment breaks and pests pop up. Every step plays a role in the success of your planting season as well as the growing and harvest seasons to come.
Seasonal weather models are beginning to hint at improved moisture chances across the western Plains, offering drought-weary producers cautious optimism heading into late spring and summer.
Brian Bledsoe of Brian Bledsoe Weather explains what’s driving the record heat, how long it may last and why it’s not a repeat of 2012.
NOAA and CPC issue an official El Niño watch with a 62% chance of forming by late summer. Meteorologist Drew Lerner explains why it’s coming sooner than expected, but warns the extreme forecasts may be overstated. What it could mean for global crops this year.
As La Niña Looks to Make One of Its Quickest Exits on Record, Strong El Niño Signals Are Now Brewing
Pacific waters are warming rapidly as La Niña fades. Meteorologists warn the shift could reshape U.S. rainfall, drought conditions and severe weather risk during the 2026 growing season.
How quickly will La Niña exit this year, and when will El Niño enter the picture? Not all meteorologists agree with NOAA or one another, but the timing could have a major impact on weather this spring and summer.
High winds have posed plenty of problems for farmers trying to spray, and even plant, this spring. NOAA says it’s one of the windiest starts to the season on record, but the bigger question is how long will it last?
K-State precision agricultural economist says the Gannon Storm that occurred the weekend of May 10, 2024, and led to an assumed $565 million in losses for Midwestern crop producers was not an anomaly.
ENSO-neutral means conditions could be close to average, but Eric Snodgrass, Nutrien’s principal atmospheric scientist, says that doesn’t mean the weather will be normal this spring and summer with growing concerns about drought.
Long-time meterologist Gary Lezak says he can predict with 91% accuracy significant weather events that will occur for the next seven to eight months. Check out three of the predictions his team shares for this spring.
As 2024 comes to an end, roughly 70% of the U.S. is experiencing some level of drought and dryness. What does that mean for 2025? According to one meteorologist, in six of the past 10 years with a really dry fall, the spring to follow was also dry.
Winter is not the high precipitation time frame for many portions of farm country, Snodgrass says. One spring storm system can deliver the same amount of soil moisture as all the snowfall during the winter.
Farmers and ag cooperative need to be on high alert this spring. That’s according to the FBI, which is predicting cyber criminals might attack the industry during planting and harvest.
USDA currently pegs soybean plantings at 87.5 million acres. Market analysts offer projections both above and below that number and explain their rationale, which includes the South America crop and weather forecasts.
Here’s five songs and four podcasts to add to your #plant19 playlist:
BamWX forecast calls for a week of good planting weather, but then the roller coaster comes back.
What’s the USDA going to show on its Prospective Plantings Report?
The outlook into early to mid-April is a volatile one with ups and downs and plenty of rainfall on the table, especially for the eastern ag belt.
The shortest La Nina in almost a decade has ended, just three months after it began.
Farmers in Minnesota could have more challenges when applying nitrogen, if a proposed rule becomes law. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is proposing the rule to minimize sources of nitrate pollution.
With cold temperatures lingering longer than many farmers prefer, you might wonder just how late a freeze could hit. Historically, the Corn Belt has seen some, but not many, freezes after June 1.
It’s important to watch your fields—not your calendar—when deciding to plant says Farm Journal Field Agronomist Ken Ferrie. Cool soils, wet conditions and potential late frost means you still need to be patient.
USDA’s acreage numbers injected a substantial amount of uncertainty into both markets that appears set to stay in place throughout the summer, according to University of Illinois agricultural economist Todd Hubbs.