Record planting pace has been reported in some regions of the corn belt. The warmer and drier early spring helped start this record planting, and the mostly drier weather since has helped mainitain the pace in many areas. Recent precipitation has slowed progress slightly, and recent frosts and freezes have some producers checking their crops for damage. Field activities (spraying, fertilizing, tilling, planting) are being accomplished with good timing.
The rain of the recent week has started to relieve some of te drought stress in the upper midwest, and raised soil moisture levels in time for the big planting weeks ahead.
Nationally, the corn crop is well over 30% ahead of last year, and almost twice as far along as the national 5-year average. Soybean progress is at 12%, well ahead of the prior year and twice as far along as the national 5-year average as well.
Corn Planting - Selected States
|
State |
April 29, 2012 |
April 29, 2011 |
5-year Average |
|
Illinois |
79% |
10% |
29% |
|
Indiana |
70% |
2% |
20% |
|
Iowa |
50% |
7% |
32% |
|
Kansas |
57% |
38% |
32% |
|
Kentucky |
86% |
17% |
44% |
|
Minnesota |
48% |
1% |
31% |
|
Missouri |
75% |
31% |
36% |
|
Nebraska |
44% |
12% |
23% |
|
Ohio |
57% |
1% |
20% |
|
Wisconsin |
18% |
6% |
12% |
Soybean Planting - Selected States
|
State |
April 29, 2012 |
April 29, 2011 |
5-year Average |
|
Illinois |
13% |
17% |
2% |
|
Indiana |
28% |
1% |
4% |
|
Iowa |
3% |
--% |
3% |
|
Kansas |
5% |
1% |
1% |
|
Kentucky |
18% |
0% |
2% |
|
Minnesota |
4% |
0% |
4% |
|
Missouri |
8% |
--% |
2% |
|
Nebraska |
6% |
1% |
2% |
|
Ohio |
16% |
--% |
5% |
|
Wisconsin |
1% |
--% |
1% |
