USA: corn planting slows, soybean seeding pace improves

Corn planting progress slows, according to the USDA Crop Progress Report.

As of Sunday, the U.S. had 17% of the corn crop planted, below a 20% five-year average.

Corn

As of Sunday, Illinois farmers seeded 23% of this year’s corn crop vs. a 28% five-year average. Iowa farmers have put 20% of their corn in the ground vs. the 22% five-year average.

So far, Nebraska has only planted 6% of its corn vs. a 15% five-year average. North Carolina has 60% of its corn planted.

Soybeans

As of Sunday, the USDA rated the nation’s soybean crop as 8% planted vs. a 5% five-year average. Illinois farmers have 18% of their soybeans planted vs. a 6% five-year average. Indiana’s farmers have seeded 6% of their soybeans vs. a 3% five-year average. Ohio’s crop is 8% complete vs. a 2% five-year average.

In its report Monday, the USDA rated the U.S. spring crop as 28% planted vs. a 19% five-year average.

The U.S. winter wheat crop is rated as 49% good/excellent, vs. 53% a week ago.

Crop progress and condition estimates are based on survey data collected each week from early April through the end of November, according to the USDA report. “The non-probability crop progress and condition surveys include input from approximately 3,600 respondents whose occupations provide them opportunities to make visual observations and frequently bring them in contact with farmers in their counties. Based on standard definitions, these respondents subjectively estimate the progress of crops through various stages of development, as well as the progress of producer activities. They also provide subjective evaluations of crop conditions,” the USDA stated in its Monday report.

Most respondents complete their questionnaires on Friday or early Monday morning and submit them to the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) field offices in their states by mail, telephone, fax, email, or through a secured internet website. A small number of reports are completed on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. Regardless of when questionnaires are completed, respondents are asked to report for the entire week ending on Sunday, according to the report.

Successful Farming

Tags: corn, USDA, planting, US