Spring Planting Progress Off To A Good Start

It’s officially spring and many growers are gearing up to begin planting. But as most of the U.S. isn’t quite ready to put seed in the ground, one state is already off to the races.

According to USDA’s first weekly crop progress report of the season, Texas has already completed planting on 57% of corn acres.

Some growers in the state even report having completed their farm’s corn planting for the year.

Other states sharing corn planting progress include Illinois (1%), Kansas (2%), Kentucky (2%), Missouri (2%) and Tennessee (2%). Overall, the U.S. is 2% done planting corn acres — slightly ahead of the five-year-average of 1%.

One of the Illinois farmers already making progress shares his views from the field.

At the same time, another grower in Illinois reports much of his region is doing tillage in preparation for the main event.

Though it would delay getting in the field, many states are in need of rain before making more progress.

This Kentucky farmer shares a look at some of those dry conditions.

Luckily, there’s good news in the forecast with significant rain ahead for a large part of the Corn Belt.