CORN CROP ISN’T AS FAR BEHIND AS YOU MIGHT THINK

Lindsay Mitchell

May 31, 2017  |  Today's News |  Additional Research

Farmers might be a little “down in the mouth” about this year’s corn crop after a very wet spring and a lot of corn had to be replanted.  According to yesterday’s USDA report though, nationwide, the corn crop is relatively average.

Corn emergence remains within two percentage points of the five-year average. While progress remains on track, this first report showing information on crop condition indicates that acres rated in good or excellent condition sit seven percentage points lower than it did at this time last year.

With 91 percent of total corn acres planted and 73 percent emerged by May 28, progress fell only two percentage points short of the five-year average in both categories.

Specifically for Illinois, corn planted was at 93 percent this week in 2016 and in 2017 putting us exactly on pace from last year and only 3 percentage points behind the five-year average.

Only 80 percent of the crop is emerged in Illinois, compared to 86 percent last year.  Thirty-three percent of the crop is rated fair, 44 percent rated good, and only 8 percent rated excellent.

Crop condition forecasts appeared strongest in Southern states with Kentucky, North Carolina and Tennessee showing more than 80 percent of acres in good or excellent condition.

To view the full report, click here.