Corn Emergence Begins in 5 States

Corn has started to emerge in five of the top 18 corn-producing states, according to the USDA’s Crop Progress report released Monday, April 21. These states account for 92% of the U.S. corn acreage. As of April 20, 2025, 2% of the nation’s corn crop had emerged, matching the five-year average. 

Texas 

According to USDA’s Prospective Plantings report published on March 31, Texas farmers are expected to plant 2.45 million acres of corn in 2025.

Texas leads the nation in corn emergence, with 63% of its corn crop out of the ground. That’s a 13-point increase from the previous week and 9 points ahead of the state’s five-year average of 54%. 

Adam Owens, a field agronomist for Pioneer covering Central Texas, said the crop is progressing well in the region. “The crop is in really good shape. Much of our crop was planted in the last week of February through the first week of March. The emergence was really good this year in that neck of the woods. Crops in Central Texas range from V5, V6, to V10 at this point in time,” he said. 

He added that growers are already applying herbicides and fertility shots, and the crop is holding steady thanks to early rain and mild spring weather. 

North Carolina 

Corn emergence surged in North Carolina, jumping from 4% to 21% over a seven day period. As of April 20, 2025, corn emergence in North Carolina is on pace with the state’s five-year average.

USDA’s Prospective Plantings report anticipated North Carolina farmers would plant 910,000 acres of corn in 2025, a slight increase from 2024.

Missouri

Corn emergence in Missouri reached 6%, up from 1% the week prior and ahead of the five-year average of 4%. Though behind last year’s 10%, the state is moving forward steadily.

Missouri farmers intend to plant 3.83 million acres of corn this year, according to USDA’s Prospective Plantings report. 

Tennessee

Tennessee corn emergence is equal to this time last year at 4%. This is 1 percentage point behind the five-year average.

USDA said farmers in Tennessee will plant 900,000 acres of corn in the 2025 growing season.

Kansas

Kansas reported 3% of its corn crop emerged in the latest Crop Progress report. This is equal to last year’s pace and ahead of the five-year average.

Growers in the state are projected to plant 6.4 million acres of corn this growing season, according to USDA.

Other States 

Although the five-year average is 5% emerged for this point in the Kentucky growing season, USDA did not report any corn emergence progress in the latest Crop Progress report. Last year at this time, 7% of the Kentucky corn crop was out of the ground.

The April 21 Crop Progress report shows corn planting progress in the state is behind as well. Just 12% of the crop has been planted. The five-year average is 23%.

No corn emergence has yet been reported in Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, or Wisconsin either. However, this is expected for these regions and on pace with the five-year average.

Last year at this time Illinois reported 1% of the corn crop was out of the ground.