Tennessee
This year looks to be a good one for planting corn in Tennessee. Farmers currently have the highest percentage of corn planted since 2006 and by the end of April, 82 percent of corn acreage was planted, which is more than double the amount planted at the same time last year, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service.

“Corn planting is in full swing. Fastest I ever saw in 30 years. Farmers are finishing up corn planting in three weeks. Dry weather has stopped pastures and hay fields from growing but has sped up corn planting,” said Steve Glass, agent for Decatur County, Tenn.
A couple of days of rain that occurred during the last week in April was expected to aid farmers complete their corn planting and start soybean and cotton planting.

“Corn planting is ahead of schedule this year. A few producers have finished corn planting and have started on some soybean acres. Most have been waiting on the rain of this weekend to continue,” explained Marion County Agent Matthew Webb.

By April 25, 4 percent of the state’s cotton crop had been planted.

By Tesa Nauman
Tennessee Correspondent

Illinois
The latest crop planting report (April 26) issued by the Illinois NASS office shows that the week of April 19-25 was another busy week in the fields for producers. Great planting conditions were noted, with 4.9 days suitable for fieldwork.

Temperatures averaged 56.1 degrees statewide, with an average of 1.57 inches (0.57 above normal). Rain in some parts of the state was heavy enough, however, to cause farmers still trying to plant corn to garage their machinery for a few days while their fields dried.

Corn was 73 percent planted as of April 25, compared to just 4 percent last year and 28 percent for the five-year average, the report revealed. The 73 percent planting rate set a new state record, eclipsing the mark of 67 percent in 2005.
Soybeans were 5 percent planted - significantly ahead of the five-year average of 1 percent. Oats were reported as 91 percent planted.

“This spring has been entirely different from the last two we’ve had,” reported Pete Fandel, a crop specialist with the University of Illinois Extension’s Woodford County office, on April 28.

“With the recent warm temperatures and good conditions we’ve had, a lot of farmers got some catch-up work done as far as tillage and fertilizer goes. But in our (central Illinois) area, probably 75 or 80 percent of the corn is in the ground. 50 percent of it has been coming up in the last day or so. I’ve even seen some bean drills running today.”

Those farmers who have yet to get their corn in are likely behind the planting curve for the area due to a couple of reasons, said Fandel.

“The biggest issues were a couple of wet farms, and some fields that got too dry after they were tilled. There are others who did not get nitrogen on in the form of anhydrous, or they got it on too soon before (last week’s) rains,” he reported.

“They weren’t really wanting to push the envelope and maybe damage the corn, and were waiting for a rain to help switch the nitrogen over so it wouldn’t burn the corn plants as badly. Those guys will be getting in the fields very soon to finish up.”

By Tim Alexander
Illinois Correspondent

Iowa
As the nation’s top grain producers, Iowa farmers are making history this spring, with corn nearly completed and soybeans just already started.

“Near perfect weather much of the week allowed corn planting to continue at a record pace,” said Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey. “The weekend rains (April 24-25) were welcomed in many parts of the state, but some more warm, dry weather will now be necessary before soybean planting begins in earnest.”

Last month, while some farmers began planting corn, others were still harvesting what was left of the 2009 crop.

Despite heavy rains and colder temperatures, farmers in eastern and western Iowa are between 60 to 70 percent done with corn – similar to the state as a whole.

“Many farmers are done planting corn and have started on soybeans,” said Jim Fawcett, Iowa State University (ISU) field agronomist. “Probably less than 10 percent of the soybeans are planted.”

The April 26 Iowa Crop and Weather report, released by the USDA, said nearly perfect field conditions early in the week promoted one of the most active weeks in Iowa history.

“This spring – so far I should say, since the wheels can come off at any time – has been a record setter as far as planting progress,” said Clarke McGrath, field manager for the ISU Corn/Soybean Initiative.

Moreover, State Climatologist Harry Hillaker said this was Iowa’s seventh consecutive warmer than normal week.

“Warmer than normal weather persisted through all of the reporting week until Sunday (25th) when temperatures fell just slightly below seasonal averages,” he said.

By Doug Schmitz
Iowa Correspondent