Crop Update: 5 percent of Nebraska corn is planted

While it may be hard to believe that the last 2009 Crop Update was posted just three months ago (click here for harvest in the snow), planting is well underway across the Nebraska and the country.

In Nebraska, USDA said 5 percent of the crop was planted as of yesterday, which is 2 points ahead of last year at this time and 1 point ahead of the five-year average (2005-09). With mostly dry conditions across the state today, farmers are moving quickly to plant as many acres as possible before rain chances increase later this week.

Nationally, USDA said 19 percent of this year's crop was planted -- up from 5 percent last year and 9 percent for the five-year average. It's also a big jump from last week when 3 percent was planted.

Notable states include:

• Illinois at 34 percent planted (up from 1 percent last week and 1 percent last year at this time),
• Iowa at 19 percent planted (up from 1 percent last week and 5 percent last year),
• Missouri at 40 percent planted (up from 9 percent last week and 7 percent last year), and
• Minnesota at 13 percent planted (up from 1 percent last year and 0 - none - last year).

Mother Nature has allowed farmers across the Corn Belt to get off to a much better start this year!