The first four days of May 2005 brought freezing temperatures to the northern Corn Belt. Warmer-than-usual April temperatures had prompted considerable "early" crop planting. The freeze was damaging to emerged corn and in a few cases to planted but not emerged corn and soybean. Damage to crops is not always immediately apparent. Frozen leaves become quickly obvious, but viability of the plant, and the potential for recovery with a minimal impact on ultimate yield, is often not evident for several days.