The USDA Crop Progress report released May 9 by the National Agricultural Statistics Service reports that 64 percent of corn has been planted, with 27 percent emerged as of May 8. For soybeans, 23 percent have been planted as of May 8, up from eight percent on May 1.
While progress has been made across the board, several areas across the Midwest and South experienced severe weather over the past few days, so Plant 16 may be put on hold for some. Here’s the latest progress from some of our regions:
Region 6 — RSA Dustin Ellis (central Iowa, northwestern Missouri, northeastern Kansas)
We are basically done with corn and have about 45–50 percent of beans planted in Region 6 from Iowa Falls, Iowa, to Manhattan, Kansas. Unfortunately, we will have replant starting up as soon as the ground allows in northwestern Missouri and parts of Kansas. We are hoping to get out in northwestern Missouri later this week if the weather shapes up. Very wet conditions the past few weeks in northwest Missouri resulted in flooding, causing us to replant corn.
Region 7 — RSA John Furlong (southeastern Iowa, northeastern Missouri)
We have about 90 percent of corn and 35 percent of soybeans planted in Region 7. Stine 9538-20 is really jumping out of the ground, first emergence in most plots. We need warm, dry weather for about 10 days to finish planting.
Region 8 — RSA Mike Eckels (north central Missouri, south central Iowa)
Corn planting is 90 percent completed in Region 8, and we’re just getting started on beans. The last few weeks were not good for the corn, as some flooding occurred in a few areas with cool nights. There will be some replant on corn. The emergence has been really good on corn, however, and we haven’t seen any cutworms yet.
Region 13 — RSA Gary Niemeier (central Illinois)
Region 13 is around 75–80 percent completed with corn planting. I would estimate that around 10–20 percent of soybeans in the northern region are completed, and in the southern part of my region, very little soybeans have been put in the ground. We are very saturated at this point and hope to get in the field soon, weather permitting.
Region 17 — RSA Doug Score (central and southeast Indiana, southwest Ohio, northern Kentucky)
For corn, the USDA has us around 30–38 percent planted in Ohio and Indiana, and around 8–11 percent planted for soybeans. The estimates I’m seeing and hearing are a little different; however, I only service a portion of each state.
West central Indiana has 45 percent of corn planted and five percent of beans in the ground. Southeast Indiana has 25 percent of corn planted and less than five percent of beans.
For the most part, southern Ohio has made huge strides. Our estimates for Region 17 are around 55 percent complete for corn and 30 percent complete with soybean planting. This is a little different than estimates from the USDA. Some operators have even finished planting all together. My numbers are swags because of the varying conditions throughout. Included are parts of Ohio that have only 5–10 percent of corn planted with no soybeans in the ground. Just like most years, drive a few miles and you’ll have a different story.