Corn Crop Planting Behind Last Year’s Pace

The newly released USDA Crops Progress report that just came out on April 22^nd (2013) is showing that the spring corn planting is behind schedule from the same time last year, with less than 1% completed.  The change over from extreme drought to excessive rainfall and flooding has been huge, and has slowed down the pace so that farmers can get a better grasp on how to proceed with these weather conditions.  The ground seems to be significantly wet in many areas, but the unknown still persists as to how the rest of the spring and summer will shape up for crops.

The largest corn state is Iowa, and they have only planted 8% of their corn crop because of recent high rainfall, compared to a five year average of 14%.  Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri are doing much better and are well above half planted as of this time.  Over a five year period, the average for planting corn is only 16% for the states that typically grow 92% of U.S. corn, but this year that number is up to 26%.  So we are doing well compared to the longer term, but not compared to the previous year.

Wheat conditions are similar to last year but also show signs of improvement.  Overall, this year is shaping up to be better than last year, but it is still very early to know for sure if the long duration drought conditions have broken enough to allow a good planting and growing season to develop.  More rainfall is needed over the next few months in sufficient quantities before an end can be declared to this devastating drought.

Some states are doing much better than others however, and South Carolina and Georgia have had an incredible fall and winter of rains that have deluged the states.  The drought has either been officially declared over for them, or at least well on the way out.  The mid-west states, and Texas in particular, are still undergoing dry conditions which could persist into the summer.  

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