USDA Crop Progress And Planting Report Released.

Apr 13, 2015

The USDA released the weekly Crop Progress and Planting Report.

The full report can be found at the following link.

http://www.usda.gov/nass/PUBS/TODAYRPT/prog1615.txt

Highlights:

Editor's Note: Farms.com staff has been travelling across the Midwest US this week and report that there was very little field work done and only a few fields of corn planted. Also widespread rainfall has left fields too wet for field work and corn planting.

U.S. corn planting is underway and a little slower than average due to a wet spring in some key growing areas.

As of Sunday, the USDA reports 2% of the crop is planted, compared to 3% a year ago and the five year average of 5%.

Sorghum planting is at 16%, compared to 19% last year and 20% on average.

6% of the winter wheat crop has headed, compared to 8% on average, and 42% of the crop is in good to excellent condition, down 2% on the week.

17% of spring wheat is planted, compared to 5% a year ago and 11% on average.

Across the U.S., 53% of the country reports adequate topsoil moisture and 58% has adequate subsoil moisture.

Video: Residue Management

Residue Management conservation practice manages the amount, orientation, and distribution of crop and other plant residue on the soil surface year-round while limiting soil-disturbing activities used to grow and harvest crops in systems where the field surface is tilled prior to planting. This video explores how Ryan McKenzie implemented this conservation practice on his farm in Samson, Alabama.

Practice benefits:

• Increases organic matter

• Improves air quality

• Decreases energy costs

• Reduces erosion

• Improves soil health

The Conservation at Work video series was created to increase producer awareness of common conservation practices and was filmed at various locations throughout the country. Because conservation plans are specific to the unique resource needs on each farm and also soil type, weather conditions, etc., these videos were designed to serve as a general guide to the benefits of soil and water conservation and landowners should contact their local USDA office for individual consultation.