The planting season of 1998 got off to a slow start due to persistent rain during most of the month of April and prior months. By April 26, just seven percent of the corn crop had been planted. This compares to 33 percent in 1997 and the five-year average of 17 percent. The rain was beneficial to the wheat crop along with a mild winter which had the development about two weeks ahead of normal. The crop was rated 15 percent excellent, 66 percent good, 16 percent fair, two percent poor, and one percent very poor on April 24. Soils dried enough by the end of April to allow planting of corn to reach 30 percent by May 3, near the five-year average of 35 percent but well behind the progress of 1997 at 71 percent. The first half of May was again wet, limiting planting until the middle of the month. As of May 17, 63 percent of the corn and 12 percent of the soybeans had been planted. The five-year averages were 61 percent for corn and 22 percent for soybeans while for 1997 they were 94 percent for corn and 62 percent for soybeans. Rain again fell during the last half of May but farmers managed to continue planting. By the end of May, corn was 96 percent planted while soybeans were at 66 percent planted. The excess moisture affected the wheat crop although development was well ahead of normal. As of May 29, the crop was rated eight percent excellent, 52 percent good, 27 percent fair, 12 percent poor, and one percent very poor. The development of the crop had reached 73 percent filled by May 31, compared to 35 percent for both 1997 and the five- year average. An estimated 31 percent was turning yellow which compares to one percent in 1997 and the five-year average of four percent.

The month of June was again wet making it difficult for farmers to finish planting soybeans. Most progress occurred during the first week of the month when planting reaching 85 percent. Harvest of wheat began the middle of the month and was 57 percent complete by June 28, ahead of the five-year average of 18 percent and five percent for 1997. The first half of July again saw rain falling on already saturated soils. Wheat harvest continued ahead of normal and was 92 percent complete by July 12, compared to 78 percent in 1997 and 81 percent for the five-year average. The last half of July saw only light rains along with warm temperatures which advanced crop development ahead of the five year averages. A two inch rain fell across much of the state early in August which was needed in the northern part of the state where it was getting dry but not in the southern part where soils were still saturated. Above normal temperatures along with only light rains the remainder of the month dried soils and helped crops progress toward maturity.

Favorable weather continued throughout the month of September. Harvest began shortly before the middle of the month and had advanced to 22 percent for corn and 17 percent for soybeans by September 27. The harvest of corn was well ahead of the five-year average of seven percent as well as four percent for 1997. Soybean harvest was a little ahead of the five-year average of 12 percent and ten percent for 1997. October saw some rain, particularly during the middle half of the month, that hampered harvest. By October 18, corn was 58 percent harvested, ahead of the five-year average of 45 percent and 55 percent for 1997. Soybean harvest stood at 71 percent, behind the five-year average of 77 percent and 88 percent for 1997. Dry weather during the later part of October enabled harvest to push toward completion. Harvest had reached 92 percent for soybeans and 82 percent for corn by November 1, both near the five-year averages. By the middle of November, corn was 95 percent harvested with soybeans at 97percent.

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