Corn planting off to a fast start

This week’s Crop Progress report shows corn planting moving at a quick pace, in spite of reports that rain last week might have delayed field work in some areas. The report shows 68 percent of corn planted in the top 18 states, up from 50 percent one week ago and compared with 32 percent one year ago and 40 percent for the five-year average for the date.

Key Corn Belt states are way ahead of last year, with Illinois reporting 87 percent planted compared with just 5 percent one year ago. Indiana is at 71 percent, again compared with 5 percent at this time last year, and Iowa reports 84 percent planted compared with 58 percent a year ago.

Across the 18 states, 19 percent of corn is emerged, compared with 4 percent at this time last year.

Soybean planting is now underway, and the report lists 15 percent of the crop planted across the top 18 states, compared with 5 percent one year ago and 8 percent for the five-year average.

Read the full report from USDA.

1. Ag markets posted mixed showing on Tuesday
2. Plains storms cause minor harm to Oklahoma/Kansas wheat
3. Chocolate milk a top post-workout food
4. Another reason for adults to drink milk
5. Penn State Dairy Team schedules “Tools for Teams” webinars
6. Ag markets generally mixed again Tuesday morning

1. 4 rules for growing a business or industry
2. Seven jobs more dangerous than farming
3. D.C. Watch: Farm bill progressing
4. Chocolate milk a top post-workout food
5. April milk production up 0.3 percent
6. Class III futures close out quietly last week

1. Commentary: Slanting the statistics
2. World food supply depends on character, virtuous leadership
3. Buffet concerned about soil and starvation
4. Cold spring stunts upper Midwest hay crop
5. N.M. rancher charged with 43 counts of animal cruelty
6. 2014 Farm Bill: Are we near an agreement?