USDA News www.USDA.gov
The weekly USDA Crop Progress Report indicates that corn planting is behind the average and last year's pace.
The USDA says 6% of this year’s U.S. corn crop is planted, compared to 11% a year ago and the five year average of 9%.
Recent rainfall has delayed planting in parts of the Cornbelt, but it’s very early in the season. Also, according to AgriVisor’s Dale Durchholz, the five year average is skewed by 2012’s fast planting pace.
The recent rainfall helped the U.S. winter wheat condition rating to improve 1% to 54% good to excellent. 19% of winter wheat has headed, compared to 11% a year ago and 13% typically this time of year.
13% of spring wheat is planted, compared to 25% last year and 21% normally.
About 70% of the U.S. has adequate soil moisture.
For the full USDA report and state by state breakdowns, visit the following link.
http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/current/CropProg/CropProg-04-17-2017.pdf