TAGS: Marketing, Overseas
December 18, 2014
U.S. corn planting currently stands at 9% complete according to yesterday’s USDA Crop Progress and Condition Ratings reports. The five-year average for this date is 23%, and last year, 46% of the corn crop was planted by this time.
North Carolina and Texas both have more than 60% of the crop planted. Meanwhile, Minnesota, South Dakota and Wisconsin haven’t planted any corn. Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio and Pennsylvania are all 5% planted or less.
Below-Normal Spring Wheat Planting
Spring wheat planting is also greatly delayed. Only 6% of the U.S. spring wheat crop is planted, compared to last year’s 39% by this time and a five-year average of 25%. Idaho and Washington have almost reached the half-way mark in planting, while Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota are all less than 10% planted.
Cotton Planting Mostly on Track
Cotton planting is only slightly behind the five-year average. Currently, 13% of the U.S. cotton crop is in the ground. The five-year average for this date is 16%. California is winning the cotton planting race, with 65% planted.
Sluggish Rice Planting
Rice planting is somewhat behind schedule. The five-year average for this date is 53%. For the 2011 crop, 46% is planted. Yet, the crop that is in the ground is progressing well. Just under 28% of the crop is emerged, which compares to a five-year average of 27%.
Sorghum Planting Barely Behind
For sorghum, planting is just slightly behind normal. The five-year average for sorghum planting by this time is 24%. Currently, 22% of the 2011 crop is in the ground.
See the Sorghum Planting Progress report.
Mixed News for Winter Wheat
This year’s winter wheat crop is ahead of schedule for heading out. Just over 20% of the crop is headed, which compares to five-year average of 19%. The condition of the crop didn’t deteriorate much over the last week, but it continues to receive less-than-good ratings.
Here’s how the crop stacks up:
| Very poor |
19 |
| Poor |
21 |
| Fair |
25 |
| Good |
29 |
| Excellent |
6 |
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