Corn Emergence Reported at 25% or Less in 5 States

Five of the country’s top corn-growing states reported 25% or less of this year’s crop is out of the ground, according to the latest Crop Progress report published by USDA. Farmers in the other 13 top growing states reported emergence ranging from 27% to 88% for the week ended May 18. USDA said, nationwide, 50% of the corn crop has emerged.

Pennsylvania

With 17% of the state’s corn crop emerged, Pennsylvania reported the smallest amount of emergence progress. However, this is 7 points ahead of the five-year average. Last year at this time, just 7% of the state’s corn crop had emerged.

Ohio

Ohio farmers reported 22% of the state’s corn crop had emerged the week ended May 18. This is slightly ahead of the 20% five-year average. However, last year at this time 34% of the state’s corn crop was up out of the ground.

Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, 23% of the corn crop has emerged. This is 2 percentage points ahead of both the five-year average and last year at this time.

Agronomic Service Representative Nick Groth covers the state of Wisconsin for Syngenta Crop Protection. “The majority of corn and soybean fields in southern Wisconsin have now emerged,” he said Monday. “Maybe 30% of the planted fields in northern Wisconsin have emerged.”

Although he hasn’t heard of any widespread emergence issues, there was some discussion of rotary hoeing fields planted near the end of April to break up some surface crusting and aid in emergence.

Colorado

During the week ended May 18, corn emergence surged 22 points to 24% in Colorado. This is 4 points ahead of both the five-year average and last year at this time.

North Dakota

A quarter of North Dakota’s corn crop has emerged. This is dramatically ahead of the 7% five-year average. Last year at this time 11% of North Dakota corn had emerged.