U.S. corn planting at 13%

Date:05-05-2011

With only small improvements in planting weather, the U.S. corn planting pace remains well behind average.

As of Sunday, USDA reports 13% of the crop is planted, compared to 9% last week, 66% last year and the five year average of 40%. Of the 18 major growing states, only North Carolina and Texas are ahead of average and many key states have yet to break the 10% mark. 5% has emerged, compared to 18% a year ago and 9% on average.

The winter wheat crop condition rating also continues to show weather’s impact. 34% of the crop is in good to excellent shape, 1% less than last week, with 41% in poor to very poor condition, up 1%. A year ago, 68% of the crop was rated good to excellent with 7% poor to very poor. 33% has emerged, compared to 26% last week and 29% on average.

Wet conditions in the Northern Plains continue to keep spring wheat planting slow with 10% in the ground, compared to 57% a year ago and 43% on average.