The past week of warm weather has helped farmers get a lot planting accomplished.
Agris Cooperative Senior Agronomist Dale Cowan says farmers with lighter soil got an early start, but the rest are catching up.
"The well drained ground, probably all the corn is in that is going to go in, and approaching 50% to 75% of the soybeans," he says. "Essex County, much like last year, it's been a slow start but they are going pretty hard right now."
Cowan believes 65% of corn and 35 % to 40% of the soybeans are planted in Essex.
He says clay soils are still a little wet but many areas could now use some rain.
As well, winter wheat fields look good but have some disease problems. Cowan says fungal rust is attacking the plants and that is forcing some farmers to spray earlier than they would otherwise.
