Despite rainy cold conditions that moved in mid week, corn planting moved to 34% complete as of Sunday April 30, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Services weekly Crop Progress and Condition Report. That was an increase of 17% from the previous week and ahead of 25% for last year and 30% for the five-year average for this time.
For the week ending April 30, temperatures averaged eight to ten degrees below normal, according to the report. Significant rainfall of one inch or more was recorded across most counties. Moderate snow, averaging two to four inches, was recorded in southcentral and northeastern counties at the end of the week.
Nationally. of the 18 states producing 92% of the 2016 corn crop, 34% of this year's crop has been planted, below the 43% that had been planted by this time last year but equal to the five-year average. Nine percent of the national corn crop had emerged, near 12% last year and the five-year average of 8%.
Soybean planting was eight percent complete, ahead of 2% last year and near the five-year average of 5%.
Nationally, for the top 18 states producing the 2016 soybean crop, 10% of the 2017 crop had been planted, compared to 7% last year and 7% for the five-year average.
In winter wheat, 55% of the crop had jointed, behind 69% last year and 86% for the five-year average. Winter wheat condition ws rated 4% excellent, 46% good, 36% fair, 12% poor, and 2% very poor.
Ninety percent of oats were planted, near 86% last year and the five-year average of 89%; 56% had emerged, behind 68% last year and 62% for the five-year average.
Source:unl.edu