U.S. corn planting is in line with five-year average, according to new report

9 percent of the corn crop has emerged

By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com

Farmers across the United States have planted 34 percent of their corn crop, according to the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin report for the week of April 23-30.

The percentage planted falls in line with the five-year national average but there are differences on a state-by-state basis.

In Illinois, farmers have planted 63 percent of the corn crop, which is up from the state’s five-year average of 47 percent.

Growers in Indiana have 45 percent of their corn in the ground, compared to the five-year average of 26 percent. The 2017 figure represents a 19 percent increase.

In Ohio, farmers have planted 42 percent of state’s corn, which is up 21 percent from the five-year average.

When it comes to emergence, only 9 percent of corn has emerged nationally, up from the 8 percent average recorded over five years.

Texas has the highest recorded emergence at 64 percent, up from the five-year average of 55 percent.

40 percent of Tennessee’s corn has emerged and 54 percent of North Carolina’s corn has emerged.

Soybeans
As of April 30, growers have planted 10 percent of the American soybean crop, according to the report. That’s up from the five-year average of 7 percent.

Mississippi has the highest recorded planting at 69 percent. Louisiana has 66 percent planted and Arkansas has 45 percent planted. All three states are above their five-year averages.

Winter Wheat
Nearly 100 percent of the winter wheat crops in Arkansas and California have headed, according to the USDA’s report.

Nationally, 42 percent of the winter wheat crop has headed, up from the five-year average of 34 percent.

45 percent of the winter wheat crop is reported to be in good condition, according to the bulletin. Another 9 percent is deemed in excellent condition.

70 percent of California’s winter wheat crop is deemed excellent.

Spring Wheat
31 percent of the spring wheat crop has been planted as of April 30, according to the USDA – down from the five-year average of 46 percent.

South Dakota has 84 percent of its crop planted, the most of any state measured. The next highest states are Washington and Idaho, both at 49 percent.

Fieldwork Days
The top three states, in terms of weekly days suitable for field work as of April 30, were:

1)    Arizona – 7

2)    California – 6.9

3)    Florida – 6.6

The three states with the fewest number of suitable fieldwork days were:

1)    Maine – 1.9

2)    Tennessee – 2

3)    Missouri – 2.1

Weekly Precipitation Levels as of April 30

The next Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin is scheduled for release on Tuesday, May 9.