In this week’s report, USDA pegs corn planting at only seven percent complete nationally which compares to the five-year average of 15 percent - proving we are already well behind schedule. Along the important I-80 Corridor, Nebraska leads the pack with 10 percent planted, but that is only because of the dry, windy conditions which allow for rapid field operations. HOWEVER, east of there, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio are ALL behind their average paces. The critical production state of Illinois only has two percent in the ground when they should have 21 percent planted by now. Iowa is only two percent done - well behind their average pace of 15 percent at this time of year. These numbers are sure to get the market’s attention this week.
Soybean planting is just getting rolling across the nation with only three percent completion. Here again, the big story is Illinois which only reports one percent of its soybean acres planted when they should be at eight percent by now!
Cotton planting is slightly ahead of schedule, but only by one percentage point where it now stands at 12 percent nationwide. Texas is running four points ahead of its 15 percent average pace. The second largest producer of cotton, Georgia, has three percent of its crop in the ground versus its five-year average of seven percent.
Grain sorghum (milo) planting edged up to 19 percent done nationally. But, the numbers barely moved the needle in states other than Texas where 63 percent of the crop is now planted. That’s within four points of its average. Kansas is just getting started with one percent planted.
Rice planting still lags badly with only 26 percent planted over the US versus its average pace of 47 percent. Missouri amazingly has only ONE percent of its rice crop planted when they would normally would have 38 percent in the ground by now!
Peanut planting is close to its average pace with four percent planted nationwide - only one point behind average. Florida shows the most progress with 14 percent of its acreage planted.
Spring wheat planting is within two percentage points of its average - registering at 13 percent complete nationally this week, but that is only because of tremendous progress made in Washington state where they surged to 73 percent planted - now surpassing their average pace by 15 points. South Dakota also put 11 percent of its crop in last week - moving it up to 36 percent planted. But, recent wintry weather is holding back Idaho, and North Dakota.
Oats planting is now up to 39 percent nationwide which is still nine points behind its five-year average. It’s rather amazing that South Dakota was able to plant 10 percent of its acreage last week to put it four points ahead of its average pace. Even though Iowa surged up to 47 percent planted, it is still running well behind its average of 63 percent. Wisconsin lags its average by 15 points and North Dakota has yet to even start.
Winter wheat condition took a tumble last week with the national good to excellent rating dropping by three points down to only 27 percent. In the Plains states where the majority of hard red winter wheat is produced, Kansas saw a seven point decline and Oklahoma dropped another five points. Nebraska and South Dakota both trimmed off another three points from their totals last week as the entire central and southern High Plains region remains in the grips of near historic drought conditions featuring excessive wind, dryness, and early season heat.
Topsoil moisture deficit has a tie for the lead this week with New Mexico tallying 86 percent of its acres in the short to very short categories - six points more than a week ago while Texas also has 86 percent in that combined category, but that is only a one point worse than last week.
Meanwhile, subsoil moisture deficit ratings still have Montana in the top spot with 86 percent short to very short, but that is a five point improvement from last week’s report. New Mexico is right behind with 85 percent rated short to very short as its root zone moisture levels dropped yet another five percentage points.
