by Cheri Zagurski, DTN Marketing Editor and Anthony Greder, DTN News Editor
OMAHA (DTN) — Despite the mild winter leading into a summer-like spring and encouraging early entrance to farm fields, corn planting for the week ended April 1, 2012, was only one percentage point ahead of last year’s pace and the five-year average.
In the first weekly crop progress report of the season, USDA reported 3{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} of the nation’s corn crop was planted, compared to 2{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} last year and a 2{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} five-year average. States leading the planting with double-digit progress were Texas (48{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0}), Tennessee (15{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0}) and North Carolina (10{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0}). Illinois reported 5{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} planted, as did Kentucky. One percent of Indiana’s and Nebraska’s corn crops were planted, and 7{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} of Missouri’s.
“The market was expecting an improved planting pace over last year and the five-year average, meaning this report should be considered neutral,” said DTN Analyst John Sanow. “However, weather will be watched closely over the Corn Belt as emerged plants are susceptible to a freeze event.”
Spring wheat planting came in at 8{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0}, compared to 1{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} last year and 2{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} average. “Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota are running comfortably ahead of last year when the only progress reported was South Dakota with 1{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} done — this year they are 35{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} finished,” Sanow said. “This report should be considered neutral.”
Winter wheat condition was bookended with 12{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} of the crop in the poor to very poor categories and 12{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} rated excellent, considerably better than last year’s 32{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} poor to very poor and 7{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} excellent.
“As expected, winter wheat conditions are running much improved over last year,” Sanow said. “This means the market will pay little attention, if any, to this report.”
Sorghum planting is equal to the five-year average of 13{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0}, but trails last year’s 16{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0}. Barley planting at 8{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} is well ahead of last year’s 2{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} and the 4{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} average. Oat planting at 48{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} also is ahead of last year’s 36{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} and the 38{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} average. Cotton planting at 7{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} is ahead of last year’s 5{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} and the five-year average of 4{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0}.
The following are highlights from weekly crop progress reports issued Tuesday by National Ag Statistics Service offices in individual states. To view the full reports from each state, visit http://bit.ly/…
Colorado
Colorado experienced below-average precipitation levels and above-average temperatures this past week. Overall, mountain snowpack is 58{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} of average, raising concerns among irrigators about a possible reduction in water deliveries this growing season. Farmers were allowed 6.4 days in the field for spring operations. Statewide, topsoil moisture was rated 10{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} very short, 46{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} short and 44{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} adequate. Subsoil moisture was rated 15{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} very short, 39{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} short and 46{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} adequate. The warm temperatures pushed winter wheat progress ahead of the usual pace with 12{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} of the acreage jointed compared with 3{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} on average. The winter wheat reported being pastured was at 2{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} last week. The condition of the crop was rated 41{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} good to excellent compared to only 15{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} the previous year.
Illinois
Warm, dry weather continued across the state last week. Statewide, temperatures averaged 57.7 degrees, 10.9 degrees above normal. Total precipitation averaged 0.29 inch, 0.64 inch below normal. As a result of the warm weather, soil temperatures were warm enough for planting, and the majority of farmers reportedly have completed their pre-planting field work. Topsoil moisture was rated 2{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} very short, 29{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} short, 64{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} adequate and 5{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated at 5{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} very short, 34{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} short, 58{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} adequate and 3{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} surplus. Corn planting progress reached 5{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} statewide this past week, compared to 0{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} last year and the five-year average. Winter wheat conditions were rated at 1{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} very poor, 3{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} poor, 18{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} fair, 58{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} good and 20{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} excellent.
Iowa
Iowa experienced an exceptionally mild March with a statewide average temperature of 51.2 degrees, 15.3 degrees above normal. The month averaged 2.5 degrees warmer than the previous warmest March (48.7 degrees in 1910). Precipitation in March averaged 1.96 inches, 0.19 inch less than normal, making it the 56th wettest March of the 140 years of records. Topsoil moisture levels were rated 14{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} very short, 35{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} short, 50{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} adequate and 1{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} surplus. While the mild weather allowed for early field work, it also raised concerns about the potential for frost damage to some horticultural crops which are developing far ahead of the normal pace.
Kansas
Kansas saw another week of abnormally warm temperatures with rain isolated to the northeast and east-central districts. Temperatures averaged 14 to 21 degrees above normal across the state with highs mostly in the 80s. Only four of the 53 stations reported rain totals of a half-inch or more. Topsoil moisture was rated as 6{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} very short, 13{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} short, 73{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} adequate and 8{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated as 8{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} very short, 22{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} short, 67{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} adequate and 3{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} surplus. Record-high temperatures in March caused the state’s winter wheat crop to be three weeks ahead of last year and the average. The crop is now 61{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} jointed, compared to only 19{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} last year and the five-year average of 21{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0}. Overall, the crop is rated 60{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} in good-to-excellent condition.
Minnesota
A mild, dry winter, followed by record-breaking warmth in March, allowed producers to begin planting in central and southern areas of the state. Producers anticipated full-scale field work to begin on April 12, seven days ahead of average. Statewide, average temperatures were 10.4 degrees above normal this past week. Rain helped replenish soil moisture which has been lacking since late last summer. Amounts ranged from 0.69 inch in north-central areas to 0.13 inch in east-central areas. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 12{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} very short, 42{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} short, 43{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} adequate and 3{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 18{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} very short, 50{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} short and 32{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} adequate. Spring wheat was 3{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} planted, compared to 0{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} last year and 0{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} for the five-year average. Three percent of land was prepared for corn and 1{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} was prepared for soybeans.
Missouri
Temperatures were 15 to 22 degrees above normal across the state this past week. Highs reached the near 90s with several areas reaching 90 degrees. Average evening lows ranged from 51 to 58 degrees. Precipitation averaged 0.37 inch. Topsoil moisture was rated 1{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} very short, 10{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} short, 79{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} adequate and 10{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} surplus. Subsoil moisture was 2{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} very short, 19{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} short, 75{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} adequate and 4{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} surplus. Spring tillage was 50{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} complete as of Sunday, one month ahead of last year and 25 days ahead of normal. Corn planting reached 7{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0}, five days ahead of last year and eight days ahead of normal. Wheat condition was rated 73{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} good to excellent.
Nebraska
For the week ending April 1, high winds coupled with temperatures well above normal and little precipitation caused soil moisture levels to be below the previous year and the five-year averages. Temperatures averaged 18 degrees above normal across the state. Limited or no precipitation was recorded across most of the state. However, isolated pockets in south-central and extreme southeast Nebraska received over one inch. Statewide, topsoil moisture was rated 16{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} very short, 44{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} short and 40{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} adequate. Subsoil moisture was rated 13{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} very short, 42{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} short and 45{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} adequate. Producers spent the week applying fertilizer, performing spring tillage and getting machinery ready to plant. The first fields of corn were being planted in the eastern third of the state. Statewide, 1{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} of the corn crop was planted as of Sunday compared to 0{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} last year and the five-year average. The state’s wheat crop was rated 63{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} in good-to-excellent condition.
North Dakota
The statewide average starting date for field work was expected to be April 3, over a month earlier than last year and ahead of the five-year average starting date of April 20. Temperatures were above normal statewide this past week. Precipitation was above normal in the central, north-central and northeastern parts of the state and below normal across much of the rest of the state. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 10{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} very short, 24{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} short, 57{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} adequate and 9{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 16{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} short, 70{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} adequate and 14{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} surplus. Spring wheat was 6{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} seeded as of Sunday, ahead of 0{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} for both last year and the five-year average.
Ohio
The average temperature for the state was 48.6 degrees, 2.9 degrees above normal for the week. Precipitation averaged 0.30 inch, 0.46 inch below normal. Reporters rated 3.1 days suitable for field work. Topsoil moisture was rated 1{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} short, 70{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} adequate and 29{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} surplus. As of Sunday, corn planted for grain was 1{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} complete. Winter wheat jointed was rated at 9{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0}, ahead of both last year and the five-year average by 6 and 7 percentage points, respectively.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma experienced its warmest March on record with an average temperature of 59.4 degrees, over nine degrees above normal, according to the Oklahoma Climatological Survey. High temperatures for the past week averaged in the low 80s across the state. Very little rain fell over the past week with a state average of only six-hundredths of an inch. Statewide, topsoil moisture was rated 5{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} very short, 12{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} short, 78{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} adequate and 5{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 15{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} very short, 29{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} short, 53{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} adequate and 3{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} surplus. Winter wheat jointing reached 85{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} complete by Sunday, 20 points ahead of the five-year average. The crop’s condition was rated 75{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} good to excellent.
South Dakota
The state saw a very warm and generally dry week. Average temperatures ranged from the upper 40s Fahrenheit in the north to the lower 60s in the southeast. These temperatures were from 10 degrees to over 20 degrees above average. Precipitation was limited during the week with only two stations reporting amounts above 0.5 inch. Large parts of the state had little to no precipitation. The U.S. Drought Monitor map increased the area of moderate drought and some areas of abnormally dry across the western part of the state in response to the continued dry, warm conditions. Statewide, topsoil moisture was rated 8{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} very short, 45{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} short, 44{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} adequate and 3{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 5{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} very short, 38{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} short, 54{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} adequate and 3{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} surplus. Nearly all of the winter wheat had broken dormancy at 97{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0}, with 7{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} of acreage lost to winter kill. Winter wheat conditions were rated 52{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} good to excellent. Spring wheat was 25{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} seeded compared to the average of 2{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0}. Three percent was emerged.
Texas
Most of the state received rainfall this past week. Weekly totals in areas of south Texas reached 2 inches or more while other areas received scattered showers. Parts of the High Plains and the Trans-Pecos region experienced unseasonably warm and dry weather. Statewide, 48{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} of the corn crop was planted as of Sunday, compared to 53{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} last year and 50{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} for the five-year average. Thirty percent of the crop was emerged, equal to the average. Cotton was 12{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} planted compared to the average of 7{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0}. Soybeans were 7{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} planted compared to 35{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} last year and 17{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} on average. The winter wheat crop was rated 34{fd15d42d1b024b97d6d50958be27cc8145b6addb99e015780abccf2984117bb0} in good-to-excellent condition.
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Posted with DTN Permission by Haylie Shipp
