(NewsDakota.com/NorthDakotaAgConnection.com) – While USDA reported corn planting progress ahead of the respective average pace in 14 states, planting lags behind in the remaining top corn growing states. The 2023 planting season is off to a slower than normal start for farmers in Colorado, Kansas, North Dakota, and Texas.

North Dakota, Michigan, Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Ohio trail other top corn producing states in planting progress at this point in the season.

NORTH DAKOTA

Of the top 18 corn growing states, North Dakota has the least corn planted. At 32%, planting progress is well behind the five-year average of 50%. However, farmers in the area made significant progress from just 5% planted the week ending May 14.

According to the Iowa Environmental Mesonet, large portions of the state have seen above average precipitation over the last month and a half. Maps indicate totals have been as much as 3.4 inches above average in the south central part of the state.

Over the same time period, the state was also cooler than normal. East central North Dakota’s average temperatures over the last month and a half have been nearly 7° F below normal.

Carie Marshall Moore farms with her family in northern Towner county. The area had a frost event just last week, so local farmers have been hesitant to plant. Although her family doesn’t grow corn, she adds, “I will be curious to see how much canola and peas actually get in because it’s so late.”

Last week farmers in the state had 5.5 days suitable for fieldwork, USDA reported Monday.

MICHIGAN

Michigan ranks number 17 out of 18 states in terms of corn planting progress. However, last week’s warm temperatures allowed farmers to make steady planting progress, according to Marlo D. Johnson, Director of the Great Lakes Regional Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service. There were 6 days suitable for fieldwork in Michigan during the week ending May 21.

USDA reported 60% of the states’ corn crop is now in the ground, up from 31% the week prior. Last year at this time, 56% of Michigan corn had been planted, equal to the five-year average.

COLORADO

At 62% complete, corn planting in Colorado is on track with last year’s pace, but behind the five-year average of 69%. Planting progress jumped 12% since the week ending May 14.

Area farmers had just over 4 days suitable for field work last week thanks to several rain events. Strong spring storms delivered rainfall to much of Colorado during the middle of the week, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service.

PENNSYLVANIA

After 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork in Pennsylvania last week, corn planting progress surged from 39% to 64%. Farmers in the state are 22% ahead of where they were at this time last year and ahead of the five-year average of 46%.