While the recent cool, wet weather hampered the start to planting season across the Southeast, both cotton and peanut seed are going in the ground. According to the weekly report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), planting progress is fairly even with what has been normal over the past five years. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says cotton planting across the belt this year is actually ahead of the five-year average.
And Rippey has the latest look at peanut planting progress.
In Alabama, 5% of the cotton crop has been planted, which compares to 8% last year, and 8% is the 5-year average. Seven percent of the peanut crop has been planted, which compares to 4% last year, and the 5-year average is 5%.
In Florida, 5% of the cotton crop has been planted, which compares to 3% last year, and 4% is the 5-year average. Eighteen percent of the peanut crop has been planted, which compares to 15% last year, and the 5-year average of 15%.
In Georgia, 7% of the cotton crop has been planted, which compares to 8% last year, and 7% is the 5-year average. Three percent of the peanut crop has been planted, which compares to 4% last year and the 5-year average of 6%.