Iowa corn planting delayed by weather

Only 2% of Iowa's 2011 corn acreage has been planted through April 17, compared with 16% at this time a year ago, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

A U.S. statewide survey shows that only 2% of Iowa's 2011 corn acreage has been planted through April 17, compared with 16% at this time a year ago, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Iowa, the top corn-producing state in the U.S., trails the national average, which showed 7% of the corn in the ground through April 17. Illinois, which ranks second among corn producing states, has 9% of its corn planted, while Missouri has 26% planted. "We like to get as much of our crop planted in April so corn can be ready to harvest by late September and less vulnerable to fall frosts," said Sean Harmon, a farmer in central Iowa. "I like to be in the field with the planter around April 12, but that isn't happening this year."
Farmers have been unable to plant their crop due to rain and soil temperatures, which are still too cool for planting, according to Harry Hillaker, state climatologist for the Iowa Department of Agriculture.
The wettest week since November and temperatures as much as 10 degrees F below normal reversed an initial warming of the spring soil. Overall soil temperatures remain below the 50-degree F threshold needed for corn plant germination.
The markets are watching corn planting progress more closely than usual because domestic corn stocks are at a 15-year low, with export and ethanol demand still going strong, according to experts. Any significant weather problems with the crop this spring and summer could raise corn prices even higher, which could lead to higher meat prices and affect ethanol plants and livestock producers. "Tight grain stocks are demanding that everything go well this year with crop production," said Arlan Suderman, market analyst for Wallaces Farmer.