U.S. corn planting at 9%, behind five year average of 23%

Date:04-26-2011

U.S. corn planting remains quite a bit behind average following another wet and cool week in many of the major growing areas.

As of Sunday, USDA says 9% of the crop is planted, compared to 7% last week, 46% last year and the five year average of 23%.

Out of the 18 major growing states, only Kansas is ahead of average at 29% but that’s largely due to the extremely dry conditions in the region. A number of states have yet to make an appreciable start including Indiana, Iowa, Ohio and Wisconsin.

The winter wheat crop is also showing the effects of weather – specifically dry conditions in the hard red winter region. 35% of the crop is rated good to excellent, down 1% from last week, with 25% called fair, also down 1%, and 40% rated poor to very poor, an increase of 2%. At 72% poor to very poor, Texas’ crop is in the worst shape.

23% of the winter crop has headed compared to 19% on average due to that dry weather.

For spring wheat, there are widespread planting delays due to wet weather – 6% is planted, compared to 5% a week ago, 39% a year ago and the five year average of 25%.

Cotton planting is 13% complete, compared to 15% last year and 16% on average, and 46% of rice is planted, compared to 53% on average with 28% of the crop emerged.

Sorghum planting is at 22%, compared to 23% a year ago and 24% average and 41% of oats are planted, compared to 59% on average with 31% emerged.