Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Iowa Corn Planting Behind Schedule

Des Moines Register:
The U.S. Department of Agriculture said nine percent of Iowa’s corn was planted, trailing the five-year average of 16 percent as cool, wet weather hampered farmers’ second full week of planting.
The USDA said “weather conditions were unfavorable for most of the State this week as Iowa experienced several cool, rainy days. Many farmers are anxious for fields to dry out enough so fieldwork and planting activities can resume.”
While the wet weather hampered planting, it improved the state’s soil moisture picture. The USDA said “topsoil moisture levels improved to 2 percent very short, 10 percent short, 72 percent adequate, and 16 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture also improved and is now rated 10 percent very short, 24 percent short, 59 percent adequate, and 7 percent surplus.”
Nationwide the corn planting situation was reversed from Iowa’s, with 28 percent of the crop planted compared to a five year average of 15 percent by this date.
Illinois continued its record planting pace, with 59 percent completed as of Sunday. Missouri was 50 percent finished and Kentucky 75 percent completed. Ohio, dogged by a lengthy wet spell last year, showed 34 percent of its corn planted.
Well, looks like we're ahead of the game.

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