DELMARVA — Spring fieldwork is ramping up across Delmarva as growers take advantage of warm, dry conditions this week. Soil temperatures are running 5 to 7 degrees above normal for late March, allowing early corn planting in Sussex County and parts of the Eastern Shore.
Extension agronomists say fields that were worked last week are drying down nicely, though some low-lying areas still need another few days. The window looks good through Wednesday before rain moves in Wednesday night.
Markets
Corn futures closed at $5.18 per bushel, down $0.03. Soybeans settled at $11.72, up $0.05. Wheat finished at $6.41, gaining $0.02 on the session.
Locally, cash corn is running $4.90 in Laurel, while soybeans are bringing $11.25 at Salisbury elevators.
Forecast
Tuesday evening brought pleasant conditions with temperatures around 76 degrees under mostly sunny skies. Southwest winds at 15 miles per hour.
Tuesday night will stay mild, dropping to 60 degrees with partly cloudy conditions. Wednesday looks good for fieldwork with mostly sunny skies and highs reaching 78 degrees.
However, showers and thunderstorms are expected to move through Wednesday night. Rainfall could impact any late planting plans through Thursday.
This article is based on the Delmarva Farm Report Update Evening Edition, March 31, 2026. Hosted by Tom Bradley.
