Best Stretch of Weather Aids Corn Planting Progress

STATE COLLEGE, PA – AccuWeather’s forecast last week for “the best stretch of weather they will have” in the Midwest came true and paid off for corn and soybean farmers in particular. Planting in the 18 key U.S. corn-growing states is above the five-year average at 80 percent compared to 71 percent, and substantially above last year’s dismal 44 percent at this same time of year. The three leading states – Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana – are all above their five-year average, with Iowa at 96 percent compared to 82 percent. Other states above 90 percent include Minnesota (95 percent), Nebraska (91 percent), North Carolina (95 percent), and Texas (93 percent). There’s an added bonus for corn producers as the forecast for ethanol production in 2020 is on the rise, as roughly 40 percent of the crop is used for ethanol.