After good planting progress in much of the wetern Corn Belt, growers halted fieldwork when heavy rains pounded much of the area late last week. Iowa and Minnesota fields were soggy as the rains continued throughout the weekend.
Lagging seriously behind in corn planting are growers in Ohio and Indiana. USDA reported only 11% of the Ohio corn crop is in the ground. A week earlier, just 7% was planted. The 5-year average for corn planted by May 22 in Ohio is 80%.
Indiana growers were able to do more fieldwork. Planting estimates went from 29% of the Indiana corn crop in the ground last week to 49% planted by May 22. The average for this time of year is 76%.
Iowa corn growers led the Midwest for planting, with 98% of the corn crop done and 78% of soybeans in the ground by May 22. Iowa corn is out of the ground, too. USDA reported 74% is emerged.
Growers in Minnesota made up lost time by getting 81% of the corn crop in the ground. A week earlier, only 47% of the state's corn was planted. Just 23% of the corn is emerged. Soybean planting got a good start with 38% in the ground, compared to only 9% a week earlier. Good weather certainly increased the percentages early in the week until the rain started.
In Illinois, 69% of the corn and 16% of the soybeans had been planted by May 15.
