As of May 19, just under half (49%) of the total U.S. corn crop was planted, according to the USDA. However, some of the top corn-producing states are at well under that percentage. For instance, Illinois was at 24% this week versus 95% a year ago. Indiana was at 14% versus 86% a year ago. Ohio was at 9% this week versus 69% at the same time in 2018.
With the clock ticking down on prime planting season, Ken Ferrie says farmers may have to make some tough decisions this year that would differ from what they would decide—and that he would recommend—in a “normal” year.
The decision process starts by going to the field to assess soil conditions, says Ferrie, Farm Journal Field Agronomist and owner of CropTech, Inc., near Heyworth, Ill.
In the following video, Ferrie provides a step-by-step assessment that farmers can use in their own fields to evaluate their fields and decide whether to move forward with tillage and planting.
