With seeding more or less completed in the southeast, farmers are now moving onto the growing stage, where they'll watch and wait while their crops grow over the year. The next few months will still be busy, as farmers will be preoccupied with spraying, scouting, and getting ready for the harvest.
In the meantime farmers are watching closely for any rain falling over the next few weeks, though Agrologist Edgar Hammermeister says a big rain earlier in May gives them a bit more time to get those rains in.
"It was remarkable how the moisture soaked up with the soil. Those dry, windy conditions were really starting to take a toll on moisture reserves, so from that perspective, it was a great recharge of the soil, and as long as we don't have ridiculous heat and wind, then that's a great moisture inventory for the crop, and we'll be able to go, that gives us a buffer before the next rain is needed to maintain yield potential."
Rain is in the forecast over the next few days, with a thunderstorm this afternoon and some more rain after the weekend.
While those will be good for the crops, Hammermeister says we're not yet in a position where the rain is crop-saving.
"Because of how well things soaked up from that big rain event, and we know that we can go into dry spells, I think it will be a well-timed, well-received rain. The forecasts are varying as to the amount; it might be just a few showers, but it's before the weed control operations are really getting going, so it could be a very well-timed moisture if we can get it."
June is expected to be one of the wettest months of the year, though The Weather Network's summer forecast is calling for escalating drought conditions as we head through the summer.
Hammermeister voiced his cautious optimism for the growing season with what looks to be a somewhat positive June for the southeast's crops.
"Looking at some of the longer-term forecasts, it looks like we've got a combination of sunny spells and some showery weather looking out further on. For the first part of the growing season, it looks like it's going to be relatively mild temperature-wise, so that's going to be great for crop development and to do the weed control operations."
"It's a little bit early to be really putting any focus on what the forecast is for July, but everybody will be watching the combination of just how hot will it get in July and will we be getting any moisture."
Hammermeister urged farmers to take a moment to relax after their seeding is done, before starting up on the next phase of their operations.