Floods to Slow Soybean, Corn Planting in U.S. States – Planalytics Inc.

Farmers in south-central U.S. states are expected to plant soybeans and corn up to two weeks late this year due to flooding brought on by melting snow and rains, according to Planalytics Inc.

Areas from Kentucky to Arkansas and Louisiana were hit by a winter storm that left 15 inches (38 centimeters) of snow covering fields, and temperatures as high as 20 degrees above normal are expected next week. The resulting melting, combined with rains expected to come later in the month will result in flooding that is expected to push back sowing by weeks.

In contrast, planting in the U.S. Midwest is expected to occur two weeks early with no major flooding expected from Nebraska to Indiana, and warmer, drier weather with higher than average temperatures expected through April. These dryer conditions and lack of flooding in the Midwest will help to shorten the duration of the effects of flooding in the south, as runoff from melting will be minimal, and rivers should remain contained.

Last year planting began up to a month late in many U.S. growing regions due to cold, wet weather in March and April, however mild summer conditions helped raise yields producing record soybean and corn output for the 2014 U.S. harvest.

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