Source:  Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 4/19/11

U.S. farmers in top corn producing states had planted about 16 percent of the U.S. corn crop by April 17, twice the amount planted by this time last year and twice the five-year average for this time of year, according to USDA’s weekly Crop Progress report.

In the 18 states that typically grow 92 percent of the nation’s corn crop, USDA said 16 percent of the crop is planted, compared to 7 percent last year and a five-year average of 8 percent.  A week ago, farmers in these states had just 3 percent of the crop planted.

In Illinois, corn planting jumped to 29 percent complete from just 4 percent a week ago and 9 percent at this time last year. Iowa farmers had 16 percent planted, compared to virtually none a week ago and just 2 percent this time last year.

Click here to view the full report.