The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released details on the planting progress for both corn and cotton so far this season.
USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey provides an overview on the planting progress for cotton, “In a lot of years, we only see planting progress this early in a couple of states, and Arizona is one of those. They lead the nation, 19% of the cotton acreage planted, fiber average is 15%, and then Texas is the other that typically plants some, mainly in the deep south this time of year and in the coastal areas. 8% of Texas cotton acreage is planted by April 5th. That is right on par with the fiber average of 8%. Now this year, because it has been warm and dry in California for the most part, we see some early planting there. 10% of the California cotton planted by April 5th. That’s ahead of the fiber average of 4%. We actually see 1% planted already in Tennessee. That is unusual to see any cotton planting this early in the year in that part of the Mississippi Delta.
Rippey also provided an overview on the progress of corn planting, saying ” Not surprisingly, most of the planting at this early stage has taken place across the south. Texas, for example, 59% of the corn planted. That’s on par with the fiber average of 57%. Other southern states, Tennessee at 18% planted, getting off to a quick start, typically only 3% of the corn planted by April 5th. And then North Carolina, 7% planted. Five-year average is 5%. As we move into the Midwest, we do see some planting taking place in Missouri. A lot of that this time of year takes place in the boot heel. For the state as a whole, 8% of Missouri’s intended corn acreage planted. Five-year average is 3%. It’s been pretty dry in southern Missouri, so it’s not surprising. Off to a quick start there. Other Midwestern states that have any corn planting progress at all, that’s limited to Illinois and Indiana, both at 1% planted. It’s not unusual to see planting this early, but we did see a lot of rain in the last week.”
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.