Uncertainty for Corn Planting: May Recap

Progress is progress, but as number of acres planted can only climb when farmers find dry days between storms, it’s hard to ignore the differences between 2019 and past years. 

The Numbers

Between Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, only an average 26% of the corn crop has been planted for the 2019 planting season as of May 26. It is progress from the 14% average collected on May 19, 2019, but when comparing data from 2018, a 53% difference can be alarming.

Released May 28, 2019, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

The United States Department of Agriculture reports that the eighteen states, many which have experienced unruly weather, (Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio,  Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin) produced 92% of the country’s crop last year. Only 58% of that crop has been planted thus far between all eighteen states.

The Decisions

There has been discussion amongst growers whether to switch to soybeans, plant late, or not to plant at all. With soaked fields, there’s a high risk for getting equipment into the field, but deadlines are approaching for a decision whether to utilize preventative planting crop insurance programs. Purdue University recently hosted a webinar to explore this high-stakes discussion and review possible options.

As tough decisions are being made, the market is reacting. Beginning in mid-May, corn prices began increasing as concerns for quantity and quality of harvest rose. Choosing to plant late may result in yield losses, but there is hope to get seed in the ground. On social media, the hashtag #Plant19 has evolved into #NoPlant19 and some growers #sendit during the drier days.

photo taken from Twitter.com

As we head into June, average temperatures may be favorable for the Midwest, but it’s uncertain if precipitation will continue to play a role this planting season.