Midwest Farmers Rapidly Advance Planting Progress Amid Weather Variations

Farmers across the Midwest and South have made notable planting progress, though regional differences persist. In Kentucky, planting of corn, soybeans, and tobacco transplants has accelerated but remains behind last year's pace and the five-year average, while winter wheat and pastures show mixed conditions. Illinois experienced a surge in planting activity, with soybean planting on par with last year and corn slightly trailing, and a significant improvement in pasture conditions. In Iowa, corn and soybean planting are ahead of the five-year average, though some areas faced delays due to needed rainfall that helped improve soil moisture. Tennessee's farmers have also benefited from warm weather, enabling steady planting progress and improved crop and pasture conditions. Despite these advances, some crops, like oats in Iowa and winter wheat in Kentucky and Illinois, are lagging behind last year's progress.