#Plant2026 for Success
You’ve weighed the agronomics and the economics — and now the planter is rolling. The decisions don’t stop, though. The weather changes plans, equipment breaks and pests pop up. Every step plays a role in the success of your planting season as well as the growing and harvest seasons to come.
USDA’s latest Crop Progress report shows corn planting jumped 10 points in a week, now sitting at 90% complete. Only two states are seeing planting progress behind the five-year average.
As higher commodity prices could entice more farmers to make technology investments, Ken Ferrie expects the use of variable rate technology to grow over the next five to 10 years.
U.S. farmers are poised to expand plantings of sorghum by nearly 20% this year, a far larger percentage than soy or corn acres, as sorghum is particularly appealing this year since it’s more resistant to drought.
Whether the mercury is too high or the rain gauge too low, those producers who have already put away the planter now play the waiting game. And as always, the stakes are high.
The latest USDA Crop Progress Report shows 80% of the corn crop is now planted, which is 12 points ahead of the five-year average. Soybean planting is 61% complete nationwide.
U.S. corn futures rose 1.5% on Tuesday after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) pegged planting progress behind market expectations, stoking concerns over global supply.
It can be difficult to decide when to tear out a field and start over. Get Farm Journal Field Agronomist Ken Ferrie’s recommendations here.
After a slow start here to planting in portion of Iowa, farmers are now planting the 2021 crop at a record pace. One Rock Rapids, Iowa farmer can’t recall a year he was able to finish this fast.
The last seven days were busy with corn planting across the U.S.
The USDA Crop Progress Report revealed 70% of South Dakota’s subsoil moisture is considered short to very short. One South Dakota farmer says it’s a dire situation, one keeping him from planting his corn crop yet.