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Welcome to the Planting Progress Report from Wyffels Hybrids.
It's your hub for corn planting season! Track planting updates from real farmers across the Corn Belt, watch videos from the field, explore agronomic tools & resources, and stay up-to-date on field conditions to better inform your planting decisions.
At Wyffels Hybrids, we focus solely and intensely on corn. And we know strong yields start with successful planting seasons.
Want to contribute to the map? Share your planting update here.
Follow the Farm Journal "Plant Your Independence Tour" featuring Wyffels growers from across the Midwest.
Action is picking up across the Corn Belt! A cool, wet start to April made for slow progress for much of the region, but the tide is quickly turning. Planting is well underway in southern/central Illinois and near the Iowa–Minnesota-South Dakota border, and we're seeing more action in Iowa, northern Illinois, and Wisconsin. This week's warmer, drier conditions provided a great opportunity to put the hammer down!
Northern IL/Southern WI: Corn planting is off to a spotty start in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Farmers are planting into good conditions where there's been less rain, or in fields with lighter soil. Those in wet areas are patiently waiting for better conditions. Unfortunately, another storm system is predicted to move through the region.
Eastern IA: Planting activity picked up this last week in eastern Iowa. Early in the week, you had to be careful where you went, as not all fields were dry. Many decided to drop the hammer Wednesday or Thursday ahead of Friday's forecasted rain. I feel good about the corn that went in the ground ahead of the rains. Friday morning rain totals were mostly ¾ of an inch or less, however, areas in east central Iowa did see locally heavy rainfall above 2 inches. We will need to keep an eye on these areas for crusting issues with the pounding rains. Temperatures are expected to cool off over the next week. This will make emergence slower for corn planted the week of April 20th.
Southern MN/SD: Soil conditions are very good in southwestern MN and eastern SD where very little, if any, precipitation has fallen in the last month. In this area, there is a small amount of corn that was planted the week of April 13th along with some soybeans. Around 3% or less of the corn was planted last week with a slightly higher percentage of soybean acres planted. As of Monday, April 20th this area is off to the races. It is expected, by the end of the week the majority of corn will be planted in this area given the near-ideal soil conditions. Southeastern MN is a different story, where recent rains have resulted in wetter soil conditions and little field activity yet.
Western IL: Planting status varies widely from north to south on the western side of the state. From I‑80 north, most growers have only started their planting. Once you reach the Jacksonville/Springfield area and farther south, many growers are completely finished planting all crops. Many March‑planted corn and soybean fields in this area have already emerged. Overall, the southwest portion of Illinois is over 50% complete with corn planting. The west‑central region (Peoria/Galesburg) is a mixed bag.
Eastern NE/SW Iowa: Planting progress varies widely from SW Iowa to NE Nebraska. Anywhere from 15% - 50% of area corn acres are planted. With moisture and cold conditions this past weekend, many operations were planning to hold off until Monday to start, but areas that did not catch the forecasted rain got running on Sunday afternoon. On the other end of that spread are the operations able to go earlier. Some of them already have corn emerging!
Eastern IL: East central Illinois kicked off planting this week! I-80 and south dropped the green flag for corn on Wednesday afternoon. I would estimate 15% has gone in the ground for E Illinois. Conditions have been more "normal" with some rains making field conditions spotty to start. Well-drained fields were the first to go. Corn planted on 4/23 is estimated to emerge in 12 days. Corn planted next week is going to take much longer. Monday morning brought some frost that took out some early planted beans (plant dates before 3/31). Tillage and field elevation mattered on these soybeans.
Northwest/North-Central IA: Planting pace kicked up considerably across NW and NC Iowa with soil conditions becoming generally fit. NW Iowa into SE South Dakota has had considerably less rainfall than the center of the state and are further along with planting progress. Farmers in NW Iowa are around 50-60% done planting corn. NC and C Iowa had more rainfall, with moisture sitting around 2-inch depth or shallower in most fields. This has slowed the progress. C Iowa is only around 20-30% planted with corn. This week's forecast may allow farmers to catch their breath and put a close to this first planting window.
Resources for Planting Season:
Between the Rows® Blog - Optimize Plantability
What's the Right Amount of Downforce? - Video
Wyffels Hybrids GDU Calculator
Plant Your Independence Tour:
From mid-April through May, Wyffels is partnering with Farm Journal to follow 6 Midwestern growers through the planting season and make a stop at a different farm each week. Here is the latest report from Wyffels seed rep and grower Chris Harrell in western Illinois.
A cool, wet start to April has much of the Central Corn Belt still in a holding pattern. While some planting activity is underway in southern Illinois and along the Iowa–Minnesota border, corn planting remains paused across much of the region. The forecast calls for warmer temperatures and clear skies this week, so it should provide a great opportunity for planting.
Northern IL/Southern WI: April storms have dumped a lot of rain across the region. I am not aware of any fields that have been planted. Our subsoil moistures have been recharged but I would trade that for some dry weather. Hold tight to your plans. We are still in the ideal planting window.
Eastern IA: There's been very little activity on the eastern side of Iowa. There have been a few beans planted, but not much corn to speak of. Most growers are waiting for temperatures to stabilize and waiting for fit soil conditions. Most areas are still too wet to conduct field work.
Southern MN/SD: Soil conditions are very good in southwestern MN and eastern SD where very little, if any, precipitation has fallen in the last month. In this area there is a small amount of corn that was planted the week of April 13th along with some soybeans. I would estimate less than 3% or less of the corn was planted this week with a slightly higher percentage of soybean acres planted. Most operations have chosen to wait until after the cold weather forecasted over the weekend of April 18. Come Monday, April 20th this area will be off to the races. I expect by the end of the week the majority of corn will be planted in this area given the near-ideal soil conditions. Southeastern MN is a different story, where recent rains have resulted in wetter soil conditions and no field activity yet. With some drying weather, there may be some activity this coming week.
Western IL: Planting status varies widely from north to south on the western side of the state. From I‑80 north, most growers haven’t turned a wheel yet. Once you reach the Jacksonville/Springfield area and farther south, many growers are completely finished planting all crops. Many March‑planted corn and soybean fields in this area have already emerged. Overall, the southwest portion of Illinois is about 50% complete with corn planting. The west‑central region (Peoria/Galesburg) is a mixed bag, with mostly soybeans planted so far. Growers in this area are only about 5% complete with corn.
Eastern NE: Rain and cool temperatures have held many planters out of the field. Less than 2-3% currently planted. This number will change rapidly as we head into dry and warmer conditions throughout the week.
Eastern IL: Most growers from Bloomington to Champaign have begun planting soybeans, with a few select growers planting a little corn. I would estimate 2% of east-central Illinois corn is in the ground. Soybeans are a lot further along with many growers at or near the finish line of planting. Rainfall fell on 4/18 along with many powerful storms. Once things dry back out, I believe many growers will elect to plant corn.
Western IA: The lack of moisture and good field conditions has led to robust planting in northwest Iowa. However, most of that was soybeans as farmers are waiting for the cold front to pass through to begin planting corn. North-central Iowa had a slower week as storms washed out planting in most of the area. Far southwest Iowa, northwest Missouri, and along the west central Iowa river bottoms saw more planting in spots that avoided rain. Overall, this next week is go-time for Iowa. If fields are fit, farmers will find a way.
Resources for Planting Season:
Between the Rows® Blog - Early Spring Planting Considerations
Between the Rows® Blog - Optimize Plantability
Wyffels Hybrids GDU Calculator
Plant Your Independence Tour:
From mid-April through May, Wyffels is partnering with Farm Journal to follow 6 Midwestern growers through the planting season and make a stop at a different farm each week. Here is the first report from Matt McCarthy in northwest Iowa.
A cool, wet start to April has much of the Central Corn Belt still in a holding pattern. While some planting activity is underway in southern Illinois and along the Iowa–Minnesota border, corn planting remains paused across much of the region. The forecast calls for warmer temperatures and additional rainfall through the rest of this week, followed by more favorable conditions next week with warmth and drier weather. In the meantime, we invite you to review our latest agronomic updates so you’re ready to plant with confidence when the window opens.
Between the Rows® Blog - Early Spring Planting Considerations
As the calendar flips to April, the waiting game continues for much of the Central Corn Belt. While there is limited action in southern Illinois, corn planting remains mostly on hold for now. In the meantime, take a moment to review our latest agronomic updates so you’re ready to plant with confidence when conditions allow.
Between the Rows® Blog - Early Spring Planting Considerations
It's been a beautiful start to May for most of the Central Corn Belt!
Farmers in western IA, SW MN, SE SD, and western Illinois have enjoyed mostly ideal conditions in recent weeks. Progress is at 75-100% for most fields in those regions. Stands look good for most early planted corn, but we are seeing spotty crusting issues depending on soil type and recent rainfall intensity.
NE Iowa, SE Minnesota, and Wisconsin were slower out of the gates, but improved conditions have allowed for significant progress since last week. Southern Illinois continues to be a trouble spot, but the forecast looks promising.
We expect to see a lot more "100% complete" fields in the week ahead!
After a cool and wet end to April, growers across the Corn Belt are getting ready for the final push of #Plant25!
Despite the recent conditions, Iowa farmers have more corn and soybeans in the ground than this time last year. Illinois remains slightly behind schedule, slowed by an especially challenging start in southern Illinois, but a promising forecast has many excited to make a lot of progress.
A fast April start has fueled strong progress in South Dakota, SW Minnesota, and western Iowa. Recent rains have slowed that momentum, but the forecast looks favorable again for the week ahead.
NW Iowa, SE Minnesota, and Wisconsin have been slow out of the gates, but the weather forecast also looks promising for this region.
We expect a lot of progress this week!
To call planting progress "all over the map" would be an understatement!
The western edge of the Central Corn Belt got off to a hot start in mid-April, but spotty rain throughout the entire Wyffels geography has made for mixed progress in recent weeks.
As of today, we're seeing the most progress in western Iowa, western Illinois, southeast Iowa, South Dakota, and southwest Minnesota. Progress remains limited in parts of northeast Iowa, eastern Minnesota, southern Illinois, and Wisconsin.
Make sure to follow the Planting Progress Report to track planting trends and stay up-to-date on area field conditions.
Despite an optimistic forecast, scattered showers continue to pop up across the Corn Belt. The rain is forcing some farmers to push back planting into next week.
The “Plant Your Independence Tour” stopped in Shell Rock, Iowa this week, where Wyffels Seed Representative Jeff Reints discussed local field conditions and his hopes for completing planting by early May.
Corn planting got off to a strong start in mid-April, but weekend rains slowed progress across the region. So far, we’re seeing strong activity in central Iowa, central Illinois, and southwest Minnesota. Progress remains limited in parts of northeast Iowa, southern Illinois, and eastern Wisconsin.
The “Plant Your Independence Tour” stopped in Ogden, Iowa this week, where Wyffels Seed Representative Ward Hunter discussed his breakneck early season progress.
Want to contribute to the map? Share your planting update here.
