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Minnesota corn farmers lead the nation in planting progress

May 5, 2015
Reading Time: 2 minutes

According to the latest USDA crop progress report, 83 percent of the corn in Minnesota has been planted.

That’s amazing progress, especially when you consider how the wet and cold springs we’ve experienced the last two years have delayed planting until late May or even early June, and prevented some farmers from planting at all.

Here are some planting numbers and statistics that we found interesting:

  • Last year at this time, only 7 percent of Minnesota’s corn crop was in the ground. Farmers have planted nearly 12 times the amount of corn compared to this time last year.
  • Minnesota leads the nation for corn planting progress. The next closest state is North Carolina with 74 percent of its corn planted. Iowa is at 68 percent, Nebraska 57.
  • In 2014, Minnesota corn farmers didn’t get 83 percent of their crop in the ground until approximately May 30.
  • 8 percent of Minnesota’s corn crop is already emerged. That’s also well ahead of last year’s pace.
  • Minnesota had 6.1 days suitable for field work last week. During the week ending on May 3 last year, we had one day where it was suitable to work in the fields.
  • Last year at this time, 11 percent of Minnesota farm fields had a surplus of moisture. This year, the surplus moisture reading is zero.
  • Minnesota corn planting progress is well ahead the five-year average of 34 percent.

Farmers on social media are really happy with their progress:

 

 

Of course, there’s a long way to go this growing season. Mother Nature has been kind to Minnesota corn farmers so far, but we don’t know what the rest of the spring, summer and fall might bring.

THANK YOU to all the farmers who have been working so diligently the last couple weeks to take advantage of the nice weather and plant the food, feed, fiber and fuel that our growing world population demands. Best of luck the rest of the growing season and stay safe as you work to finish up planting.