Corn Planting 57% Complete; Soybeans, 11%

May 4, 2015

Favorable weather led to significant planting progress across the state last week until rain fell over eastern areas Saturday and Sunday, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service May 4 report. An inch or more of rain was recorded in many east central and southeastern counties, while the remainder of the state remained mostly dry. Temperatures averaged three degrees above normal. Some producers finished corn planting and were turning their attention to soybeans.

Topsoil moisture supplies rated 8% very short, 28% short, 60% adequate, and 4% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 12% very short, 27% short, 59% adequate, and 2% surplus. Both were similar to last week's levels.

Field Crops

• Corn planted was at 57%, ahead of 41% last year and 38% for the five-year average. Emergence was at 9%, ahead of last year and the average of 6%. Nationally 55% of the corn was in the ground.
• Sorghum planting was 11% complete, ahead of 3% last year and the average of 2%.
• Soybeans planting was at 12%, near last year's 10% and the five-year average of 9%.
• Winter wheat condition rated 14% very poor, 19% poor, 32% fair, 33% good, and 2% excellent. Winter wheat jointed rated 52% complete, ahead of 19% last year and 34% average. Headed was at 3%, ahead of last year at 0, but equal to the five-year average.
• Oat condition rated 3% very poor, 9% poor, 28% fair, 59% good, and 1% excellent. Emergence was at 84%, ahead of 69% last year and the average of 59%. Jointing was at 8%, ahead of 3% last year.
• Pasture and range conditions rated 7% very poor, 11% poor, 39% fair, 39% good, and 4% excellent.