Source: Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE, 4/29/14

In the week ending April 27, USDA reported 19 percent of the U.S. corn crop in major producing states had been planted, well ahead of the just 5 percent planted by this time last year, but lagging the five-year average of 28 percent by this time of year. A week ago, just 6 percent of the crop was planted.

According to USDA’s weekly Crop Progress report, corn planting progressed to 32 percent in Illinois, up from just 6 percent a week ago and compared to the five-year average of 33 percent. Plantings continued to lag, however, in Iowa, Indiana and Ohio.

By April 27, just 3 percent of the U.S. corn crop in key states had emerged, compared to 2 percent of the crop at this time last year and the five-year average of 6 percent.

USDA reported 3 percent of the U.S. soybean crop planted in major producing states, compared to virtually none planted at this time last year and the five-year average of 4 percent planted by now.

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