The National Weather Service forecasts more precipitation than usual in the Midwest, the Plains and the Pacific Northwest for late April, which could delay spring planting but relieve dry conditions in the western Corn Belt and the central and southern Plains. Iowa Sen Chuck Grassley said he saw very little fieldwork while holding town meeting throughout southwestern Iowa. One analyst expects only 3-6 pct of corn will be planted this week. As of Sunday, 3 pct of corn was planted, half of the usual rate for early April, says USDA.
The weekly Drought Monitor shows little change for the nation. Overall, 37.88 pct of the 48 contiguous states are in moderate to exceptional drought. Unusually warm weather reduced snowpacks in parts of drought-hit California. Warmer than usual weather is expected in much of the Farm Belt in the coming week.