Corn and Soybean Planting Still Ahead of Schedule

Corn and soybean planting progress continue to be ahead of average, according to the latest USDA Crop Progress report, released Monday, April 24.

CORN PLANTING PROGRESS

As of April 23, 14% of the U.S. corn crop is planted. That is a leap up 6% from last week and 3% ahead of the five-year average.

According to the report, of the top 18 corn-growing states, North Dakota and South Dakota are the only two who have not yet started planting.

Furthermore, 3% of the crop has now emerged. The five-year average for this time of year is 2%.

SOYBEAN PLANTING PROGRESS

USDA says soybean planting progress jumped up 5% for a total of 9% complete. The five-year average for this time of year is 4%.

Of the top 18 soybean-producing states, only Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin are yet to begin planting.

OATS Oat planting progress jumped 6% week-over-week to 42% complete. This is right in line with the five-year average.

Twenty-eight percent of planted oats have emerged, up 2% from last week and slightly behind the five-year average of 29%.

WHEAT

USDA says 18% of winter wheat is headed. This is up 8% from last week and ahead of the five-year average by 4%.

Winter wheat condition continues to decline, with 41% now rated poor/very poor. This is up 2% from last week.

Winter wheat rated fair went down by 1% to 33% while wheat rated good/excellent declined 1% to 26%.

Five percent of spring wheat is planted, up 2% from last week but behind the five-year average by 7%.

One percent of spring wheat has emerged, behind the fiver-year average of 3%.

FROM THE EAST COAST: FARMERS SHARE HOW MOTHER NATURE HELPED THEM GET INTO THE FIELDS EARLY

On the East Coast, farmers took advantage of good weather conditions to plant corn and soybeans ahead of schedule. Still, in some regions, others were waiting for week-long warm temperatures before entering their fields.



Source: agriculture.com

Photo Credit: istock-i-Stockr