Wet conditions have been abundant this spring and much of the country is likely to receive more precipitation this week, but farmers made substantial inroads in corn planting during the past week.
"Nationally more than one-sixth of the corn was planted last week," said USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey. "Nationally it's reached 22% planted. Still a little bit behind the five-year average of 28%, but still several favorable days in the main planting areas."
Several states are well ahead of the national average. Rippey says there was tremendous progress in Iowa with 41% planted last week and 47% overall. Minnesota is another state that is ahead of schedule with 40% of their corn planted. However there are also states behind the national average.
"There are still some major delays across the wetter areas of the Central and Eastern Corn Belt," Rippey said. "In Illinois for example only 4% of the corn planted by April 26; the five-year average there is 43%."
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