WASHINGTON, May 19 (UPI) -- The U.S. corn belt is behind its five-year average in planting and emergence, the U.S. Agriculture Department reported Monday.
Farmers in the 18 largest corn-growing states have completed 73 percent of their corn planting against a five-year average of 88 percent completion by this time of year, the report said.
Corn emergence is at 26 percent, compared with a five-year average of 56 percent for this time of year.
Texas, however, is near its average with 80 percent emergence against a five-year average of 82 percent.
Rice farmers are near their five-year average at 84 percent planting done, compared with an average of 87 percent. Soybean planting is 27 percent done against an average of 47 percent.
Nearly half the winter wheat crop has headed out -- 49 percent -- against a five-year average of 66 percent.
Spring wheat planting is ahead of the five-year average -- 94 percent done -- against an average of 88 percent for this week of the year.