Corn Planting Way Behind - Should We Be Worried?

US corn plantings are well behind average progress for this point in the season, with very few states having begun planting.

Temperatures in many corn areas are below average for this time of year, which has kept soil temperatures too low for planting.

Although planting has begun in some southern states, including Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas, progress is well behind the average, and last year’s pace - continue reading.

At a glance...

Corn planted area for all purposes in 2015 is estimated at 89.2 million acres, down two per cent from last year.

If realised, this will be the third consecutive year of an acreage decline and would be the lowest planted acreage in the United States since 2010.

Soybean planted area for 2015 is estimated at a record high 84.6 million acres, up one per cent from last year.

Compared with last year, planted acreage intentions are up or unchanged in 21 of the 31 major producing States.

All wheat planted area for 2015 is estimated at 55.4 million acres, down three per cent from 2014.

The 2015 winter wheat planted area, at 40.8 million acres, is down four per cent from last year but up less than one per cent from the previous estimate.

If delays persist, this could impact US corn planting intentions, which came out slightly higher than the market expected last Tuesday.

~ Gemma