U.S. Corn Planting Is Waaaaaaaaaaaaay Behind, USDA Says

Less than half of the corn is in the ground.

5/20/2019

Kacey Birchmier

DES MOINES, Iowa — U.S. corn farmers have the most corn acres left to plant, on this date, than they have ever had and remain behind the trade’s expectations, as well.

Corn

In its Crop Progress Report Monday, the USDA pegged U.S. corn planting at 49% complete, behind the 80% five-year average.

The trade expected a completion rating of 53%. On this week of the planting season, the most that U.S. farmers have ever had left was 47% of the crop. In 2019, that amount is 51%, with plenty of rain in the Midwest’s forecast.

As of Sunday, Iowa farmers had 70% of that state’s corn crop planted vs. a 89% five-year average. Illinois farmers have 24% of their corn seeded, behind a 89% five-year average. Indiana has 14% planted vs. a 73% five-year average. In the western Corn Belt, Nebraska farmers have 70% of their corn planted vs. a 86% five-year average.

Also, 19% of the U.S. corn has emerged vs. a 49% five-year average.

Soybeans

In its report, the USDA pegged the U.S. soybean planting completion rate at 19% vs. a 47% five-year average.

Iowa has 27% of its soybean crop in the ground compared with a 55% five-year average. Illinois has 9% of its crop seeded, equal to a week ago and a 51% five-year average. Indiana soybean growers have 6% of their crop in the ground vs. a 43% five-year average.

Also, 5% of the U.S. soybean crop has emerged vs. 17% five-year average.