May 2026 Field Observations

Dairyland Seed agronomists are in the field watching crop conditions and tracking what is happening across the region. In this blog, they share recent observations and simple recommendations to help support on-farm decisions. Their updates are meant to provide timely insights you can use throughout the season.

"April was persistently wet across Michigan, with several storm systems and widespread flooding. The frequent weather events and saturated soil conditions have delayed field work and really limited planting progress. As conditions improve, keep in mind that rushing to plant before soils are fit may result in issues like sidewall compaction and open seed trenches which can have season-long effects. The planting window might be a little narrow this year, but we still have plenty of time. A few things to watch for this spring would be increased insect pressure, slug pressure and early season diseases. The several weather fronts we’ve had can transport insects like true armyworm and black cutworm, so we could see more damage. Warmer temperatures along with the wet conditions are favorable for slug pressure which has been an increasing problem the last few years."

- Amanda Goffnett, Eastern Region

"As we progress through the spring season in Wisconsin, most conversations with growers revolve around the recent heavy precipitation events. The record setting snowstorm in mid-March combined with 7-9 inches of rain in April has no doubt replenished our sub soil moisture and left some excess water in lower fields or fields with heavy soils. Although the rapid rate which we received the recent precipitation wreaked havoc in many communities, it did take our WI drought map from concerning to very little area left in a water deficit. The extra water and inability to enter fields has also put a strain on many WI manure storage systems. Progress is now being made and in most areas of Wisconsin you see manure applications occurring. Looking at the calendar as we enter the month of May, we are right on schedule for prime planting in this state. In areas with lighter soil, growers have been planting soybeans and some alfalfa, but very little corn has been planted yet. Since we normally plant the bulk of our corn in WI in May, we are not late yet. That means the most important factors to consider before planting are soil fitness, soil temperature, and the future forecast. We all tend to become impatient during this time of year, but I can assure you that paying attention to these three factors will lead to a more successful crop than an extra week of seeds lying in cold, cloddy soil. According to the National Weather Service, the early May outlook is for below normal temperatures, but also below normal precipitation. Let’s be patient and put our seeds in the best soil conditions possible for a successful 2026 crop."

- Chad Staudinger, Northern Region

"Spring planting season has spring in portions of southwestern and southcentral MN. Fieldwork and planting activities have been limited as you go further into northern MN and into both ND and SD. As usual, there are a few exceptions to this observation and that would be lighter textured soils (sands) that warm up faster. The day you decide to work the soil, and/or plant, are some of the most yield-impacting decisions you make all year. Much like spring training, getting back to the basics and covering the fundamentals is key to success for the year for your crop."

- Brian Weller, Wester Region

"The Central Region planting and crop progress is as can be expected in this region, diverse. Heavy storms have been spotty and even within a county have made a big difference in planting progress. In general, most south and eastern areas have caught a break this spring and are off to great start. To the point of almost too dry. As we move north and west, we pick up more soil moisture and progress is a little more behind. The furthest west part of the central region (Eastern IA), as usual, is well into planting and making good progress. As we move into May, crop stand investigation (CSI) becomes important. Take time to evaluate how well the crop came up. Find out why plants are missing. Is it planter or equipment, insects, diseases, cultural practice or something else? Diagnostics are considerably easier now than in October. I’m always curious as to why that skip exists in the row. In my mind May tends to have more replant issues than April plantings. One reason is that as temperatures warm up, biological activity increases."

- Dan Ritter, Central Region

"As planters begin to roll across the Dairyland Seed footprint, conversations naturally turn to corn hybrid and soybean variety placement, and Granular Insights is a valuable tool for building smarter planting plans. By bringing together layers such as soil characteristics, topography, drainage, historic yield, and management zones, it helps match products to the environments where they are most likely to succeed, supporting decisions about where to push yield potential, prioritize stability and stress tolerance, and fine-tune maturity. Granular Insights also turns those plans into action through map-based planting plans or seed placement summaries, available in digital or printed formats, while enabling teams to create and share variable-rate seeding prescriptions, compare scenarios, and track performance from planning through harvest. Even when weather or field conditions require adjustments, having a data-driven plan in place reduces guesswork, improves efficiency, and helps guide better planting decisions."

- Mark Gibson, East-Central Region

If you have questions, comments or concerns regarding agronomic activity in your area, please contact one of the Dairyland Seed Agronomy Team members.