For the cotton and peanut belt, planting is still on par with normal for this time of the year in most areas. The latest USDA report indicates as of this past Sunday, cotton planting is one percent ahead of the normal pace. But USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey notes it is well ahead of normal in the western states.
But Rippey explains the peanut planting pace is slightly behind the normal.
In Alabama, corn planted was at 79 percent, which compares to 88 percent last year and the 5-year average is 86 percent. Corn emerged was at 60 percent, which compares to 70 percent last year and the 5-year average is 69 percent. Cotton planted is now at 12 percent. Last year at this time it was at 15 percent while the 5-year average is 16 percent. Peanuts planted in Alabama were are 6 percent, which compares to 14 percent this time last year while the 5-year average is 13 percent.
In Florida, cotton planting is now at 4 percent. That compares to 8 percent last year while the 5-year average is 9 percent. Peanut planting, as of this past Sunday, was at 27 percent, which compares to 27 percent last year and the 5-year average is 25 percent.
In Georgia, corn planted as of this past Sunday was at 92 percent, which compares to 92 percent last year and the 5-year average is 93 percent. Corn emerged was at 84 percent, which compares to 83 percent last year and the 5-year average is 87 percent. Cotton planting is now at 11 percent. That compares to 12 percent last year while the 5-year average is 13 percent. Peanuts planted in Georgia were are 11 percent, which compares to 8 percent this time last year and the 5-year average is 13 percent.