As of April 28, USDA reports 15% of the nation’s corn crop is planted. That is the same percentage as this week last year but compares to a five-year average of 27% planted by late April.
However, many states are behind the average pace and weather threatens to keep many farmers out of the field this week.
Only 9% of Illinois corn is planted, compared to 28% last year. Normal pace would be 43% planted by late April, per the five-year average. It’s no surprise that Illinois farmers are behind, as they only had 2.5 days suitable for fieldwork last week. Similarly, just 2% of Indiana’s corn is planted compared to 7% in 2018 and a five-year average of 17% by late April. Indiana farmers had just 1.5 days suitable for fieldwork last week.
On the other hand, farmers in Kansas, Kentucky, and Tennessee are well ahead of last year’s progress for this week of April. As of April 28, 3% of the U.S. corn crop has emerged, which compares to a five-year average of 5%.
Soybeans are just 3% planted, compared to the five-year-average of 6%.