Illinois Corn Planting Is Not Even Halfway Finished, USDA Says

U.S. plantings are on a slow boat to China.

6/3/2019

DES MOINES, Iowa — U.S. corn farmers are still trying to get to the three-quarters planted mark, continuing their slowest pace on record.

Corn

In its Crop Progress Report Monday, the USDA pegged U.S. corn planting at 67% complete, behind the 96% five-year average.

Some in the trade expected a completion rating of 70%. This would suggest 27 million acres of corn will be planted the first time in the month of June, and possibly 1 to 2 million acres of corn will need to be replanted in June, according to Kluis Advisors’ records.

As of Sunday, Iowa farmers had 80% of that state’s corn crop planted vs. a 99% five-year average. Illinois farmers have 45% of their corn seeded, behind a 98% five-year average. Indiana has 31% planted vs. a 94% five-year average. In the eastern Corn Belt, Nebraska farmers have 88% of their corn planted vs. a 98% five-year average.

Also, 19% of the U.S. corn has 46% emerged vs. a 84% five-year average.

Soybeans

In its report, the USDA pegged the U.S. soybean planting completion rate at 39% vs. a 79% five-year average.

Iowa has 41% of its soybean crop in the ground compared with an 89% five-year average. Illinois has 21% of its crop seeded, compared with an 84% five-year average. Indiana soybean growers have 17% of their crop in the ground vs. an 80% five-year average.

Also, 19% of the U.S. soybean crop has emerged vs. 56% five-year average.