Almost 5 percent of the U.S. corn crop has emerged according to a new report

Highlights include the fact that 68 percent of Texas corn is planted

By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com

Almost 17 percent of U.S. corn crop is planted, according to the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin report for the week of April 17-23.

The number is down only 1 percent from the five-year average.

Texas has the most corn planted, according to the data in the report, with 68 per cent of the crop in the field. North Carolina has planted 63 per cent of its corn and Missouri producers have seeded 46 per cent of the state’s corn crop.

A total of 4 per cent of the national corn crop has emerged, according to the report. And 68 per cent of Texas’s corn has emerged.

Soybeans
As of April 23, farmers have planted 6 per cent of the U.S. soybean crop, which is up 3 per cent from the five-year average.

Mississippi and Louisiana have the largest recorded plantings at 60 and 59 per cent, respectively.

Winter Wheat
32 percent of the winter wheat crop planted by American producers has headed according to the USDA. This figure which represents a 9 per cent increase over the five-year average.

Arizona and California lead the way with 96 and 90 per cent, respectively, of their winter wheat crops headed.

45 per cent of the winter wheat is in good condition, says the USDA report. Another 9 per cent is deemed excellent.

Spring Wheat
Producers have planted 22 percent of the spring wheat crop, which is down from a five-year average of 34 per cent. On a state level, South Dakota farmers have planted 75 per cent of their crop.

Only 5 per cent of the crop emerged as of April 23, down from a five-year average of 8 per cent. In comparison, 32 percent of South Dakota’s spring wheat crop has emerged.

Fieldwork Days
The top three states, in terms of weekly days suitable for fieldwork as of April 23, were:

1)    Alabama – 7

2)    New Mexico – 6.7

3)    California – 6.6

The three states with the fewest number of suitable fieldwork days were:

1)    Maine – 1.4

2)    Minnesota – 2.2

3)    Michigan – 2.5

Weekly Precipitation Levels as of April 22

The next Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin is scheduled for release on Tuesday, May 4.