Wet Fields Limit Progress for Ohio Crops in May

By Andi Anderson

Ohio farmers faced challenges in the week ending May 25, 2025, as continued wet conditions limited fieldwork to just 2.0 days. With little opportunity to plant, crop progress fell behind seasonal expectations across the state.

Soil moisture levels remained high, with 59% of topsoil and 66% of subsoil rated adequate. Surplus levels stood at 41% for topsoil and 33% for subsoil, leaving no areas rated very short and only 1% of subsoil rated short.

Corn planting reached 54%, improving from 34% last week but still trailing the 5-year average of 73%. Corn emergence reached 36%, up from 22% the week before. Corn condition was rated 2% very poor, 7% poor, 50% fair, 31% good, and 10% excellent.

Soybean planting also progressed slowly, reaching 52%, below the 5-year average of 62%. Soybeans emerged stood at 33%, slightly behind seasonal averages.

Oats planting was nearly complete at 88%, and emergence reached 84%. However, only 1% of oats were headed. Oat condition showed strong health with 0% very poor, 0% poor, 21% fair, 76% good, and 3% excellent.

Winter wheat jointing was nearly complete at 98%, while heading reached 75%, behind last year’s 85%. Wheat condition was rated 1% very poor, 4% poor, 28% fair, 59% good, and 8% excellent.

First cutting of alfalfa hay reached 12%, and other hay at 9%, both significantly behind the 5-year averages of 25% and 19% respectively. Pasture and range conditions were favorable with 0% very poor, 1% poor, 21% fair, 72% good, and 6% excellent.

Although wet fields have slowed progress, Ohio crops remain in mostly fair to good condition as farmers wait for drier weather to resume planting and harvesting activities.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-sasiistock