Here’s the latest planting update excerpted from the June 16 USDA National Agricultural Statist
ics Service bulletin (for week ending June 13):
Highlights: The Nation’s mid-section was abnormally wet during the week, while areas along the Canadian and Mexican borders, as well as in the Southeast were mostly dry. A slow-moving frontal boundary brought more than 4 inches of rainfall to some locations in the already-soggy Corn Belt. With the exception of much of the Pacific Northwest, temperatures in the western half of the country were cooler than normal. In northeastern Wyoming, temperatures fell to as many as 14 degrees below average. Temperatures across the majority of the eastern United States were warmer than normal.
Corn: Nationally, 95 percent of the 2009 corn crop had emerged, 1 point ahead of last year’s pace, but 3 points slower than the 5-year average. Despite cooler than normal temperatures, the most advancement occurred in North Dakota, where 25 percent of the corn crop emerged during the week, pushing development to 90 percent complete, 6 points behind last year and 8 points behind normal. Overall, 70 percent of the corn crop was reported in good to excellent condition, a slight improvement from a week ago and 13 points better than the previous year.
Soybeans: By week’s end, 87 percent of the soybean crop was planted, 4 points ahead of last year, but 5 points behind the average. The most activity was evident in Arkansas and Kentucky, where 19 percent of the intended soybean acreage was planted in both States during the week. Despite this progress, Arkansas remained 2 weeks behind the 5-year average and Kentucky slightly over 1 week behind normal. Following several weeks of intense planting, crop emergence reached 72 percent complete Nationwide, 3 points ahead of development a year ago, but 11 points behind the 5-year average. Sixty-six percent of the Nation’s soybean crop was rated in good to excellent condition, 10 points better than a year ago.
