Week of May 5, 2025 Local, professional reports straight from the field,
from all regions serviced by Ag Partners.
Meet this week’s featured agronomists:
Le Sueur, MN
Goodhue, MN
Stewartville, MN
Ellsworth, WI
WEST
Belle Plaine – Le Center – Le Sueur – Morristown – Traverse
Things are finally starting to kick off here in Le Sueur this week. After a slow and soggy start to spring, fields are beginning to dry out nicely and rising temperatures are giving us the green light to get rolling. The recent stretch of heat and steady winds has really helped improve seedbed conditions across the area, and we’re seeing planters moving steadily as growers take advantage of this favorable planting window.
Soil temperatures in the area have climbed into the low-to-mid 50s and are continuing to rise—right where we want them for strong, uniform emergence. Combined with good subsoil moisture still hanging on from earlier rains, conditions are looking ideal for fast germination. If this weather holds, we should see corn and soybean seedlings popping out of the ground in no time.
As we get into planting, it’s also important to keep weed control top of mind. Starting clean is key. Weeds emerging ahead of or alongside the crop can rob early-season moisture and nutrients, putting seedlings at a disadvantage from the get-go. Whether you’re using a burndown pass or a pre-emerge residual program, getting ahead of weed pressure now will pay off big down the road.
If you’re heading to the field, keep an eye on seed depth and seed-to-soil contact as soils dry quickly near the surface. It’s also a good time to double-check planter settings and make sure everything’s running smoothly now that we’re shifting into full gear. Here’s to a safe and productive week ahead! – Easton.
EAST
Goodhue – Kenyon – Lake City – Pine Island – Wanamingo
The cold, rainy spring has delayed planting progress for this area to later than average start, according to our AYS data. There were some fields that were planted in mid-April when conditions seemed to be fit. However, the rains and now heat/sun that has come since then have developed a crust that is affecting emergence. If you did plant then, check for emergence issues in case a rotary hoeing pass is necessary. Many planters are rolling now and corn is going in the ground at a very fast pace. I would suspect that by the weekend many growers will be 60-80% done with corn – close to our average planting progression. Keep in mind that into next week we still have 96% or more of maximum yield potential. – Tanner
SOUTH
Elgin – Lewiston – Stewartville
Patience.
Thank You for Your Continued Support and Patience This Spring. As spring settles in and the fields begin to fill with equipment to get this crop planted, we want to take a moment to extend our sincere gratitude to all our valued customers. Your continued support is the foundation of our cooperative, and it’s because of your trust and partnership that we are able to grow stronger together each year.
We also want to thank you for your patience during this particularly busy season. We know how important every hour is when you’re racing the weather and working to get the crops in the ground. Our team is working hard to keep up with the demands of the season, and your understanding means the world to us. Also be patient with the ground right now. We have one shot at getting it right the first time. Make sure we aren’t working and planting ground that is too damp, to have crusting problems later with all the heat coming up. Check for seeding depth, seed spacing and row trench closure.
Most importantly, we encourage everyone to stay safe out there. Long hours and high stress can take a toll—please take the time to look out for one another, stay alert, and take care of yourself and your crew.
Together, we’re not just planting crops—we’re building a strong future for your families and our communities. Thank you again and have a safe & successful planting season. – Pete
WISCONSIN
Ellsworth
Hello from Wisconsin! We went from not having much planted and moving last week, to this week- where the sunshine came out and blessed us with a perfect week to hammer down. I was in Hammond spraying burndown rye Tuesday night and as far as the eye could see there was either a sprayer, spreader, tillage, or planter in every field. It was quite the sight! None-the-less everybody and their neighbors are farming this week. It is a great feeling to get this seed in the ground the first week of May which gives us high potential for the 2025 crop. Looks like moisture the end of the month which I’m sure everybody will be looking forward to. As for us at Ag Partners in Ellsworth it is all hands-on deck running every direction needed to service our farmers. Have a great week! – Brady
Ag Partners locations will be closed on Sunday, May 11, in observance of Mother’s Day, so that our staff can spend time with the strong, dedicated moms in their lives. Thank you for your understanding, and Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing mothers in our communities!
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Our Town and Country ACE Hardware store in Belle Plaine will be open with Mother’s Day sales on hanging baskets and garden decor (5/9-5/11)