Two States Still Haven’t Reached 50% Corn Planted

Farmers in Ohio and Pennsylvania are still working to reach the halfway point of their corn planting season. The latest Crop Progress report published by USDA indicated 34% of Ohio corn and 40% of Pennsylvania had been planted by the week May 18. Farmers in the 16 other top growing states have passed the 50% benchmark.

Ohio

During the week ended May 18, Ohio corn planting progress increased 9 percentage points to 34% complete. That’s significantly behind the five-year average of 48%. Last year at this time 45% of Ohio corn had been planted.

USDA said just 2.3 days were suitable for fieldwork the week ended May 18, limiting progress. Half the state reported a surplus of topsoil moisture. There were no reports of very short or short topsoil moisture conditions. Much of the state has seen above average precipitation through the month of May. Portions of the state have reported more than 3 inches above normal, according to the Iowa Environmental Mesonet.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania corn planting progress increased 8 percentage points to 40% complete the week ending May 18. That’s equal to the five-year average and ahead of last year at this time when just 32% of the state’s crop had been planted.

USDA said just 1.5 days were suitable for fieldwork the week ending May 18, limiting planting progress. The eastern half of the state in particular has seen above average precipitation through the month of May. Many counties have reported between 2 and 4 inches above normal, according to the Iowa Environmental Mesonet. The Crop Progress report noted 12% of the state had a surplus of topsoil moisture, also contributing to limited planting progress.

Forecast

Weather experts are calling for widespread precipitation and cooler than normal temperatures across the Midwest leading up to Memorial Day.