USDA Report Shows 2013 Corn Planting Well Behind 2012 Pace
By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com
The most recent U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) report shows corn planting is far behind 2012 numbers. Only 2% of 2013’s corn has been planted across 18 states, which represented 92% of the 2012 corn acreage.
This time last year roughly 16% of the corn acreage had been planted. Corn planting has been delayed due to cool soil temperatures. In 2012, Illinois had 38% of its corn planted and the most recent report says that only 1% has been planted this year. Prior to the USDA report, it was projected to be an optimistic outlook regarding 2013 planting.
The report notes that many of the leading corn-growing states have not yet begum planting. Following the report, the National Corn Growers Association said that the slow planting progress isn’t a cause for alarm, especially this early in the season. The association says that the slight delay could still mean a good group for this year.