Corn planting lags across the state

Despite sunshine this past weekend, Iowa's corn planting remains well behind schedule. Just 8 percent of the crop has been planted, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, compared with 82 percent last year and an average of 48 percent by this date in the last five years.
The Iowa State University soil temperature map showed soils reaching the requisite 50 degrees for corn seed germination Saturday and Sunday in most of southern and central Iowa.

Bruce Johnson of Ankeny said he was able to get about 25 percent of his crop in during the weekend.
"Our soil was in good shape, and with the sunshine and dryness we were able to get started," Johnson said.
"This has to have been the coldest April I can remember," he added.
Some farmers still held back.
"I'll need a couple more days before getting into the field," said Maurice Mitchell, who has farms in Warren, Clarke and Madison counties.

"I like to wait a few days past the first 50-degree day just to give it a little more warmth."
Mitchell said he was eager to get his corn in the ground, since he already has sold about 70 percent of it for December delivery. December corn has reached $6.60 per bushel as traders worry about tight supplies.
"These are the best December prices I've ever seen," Mitchell said.
State Climatologist Harry Hillaker said Iowa temperatures averaged four to six degrees below normal last week.

Southwest Iowa had the warmest soils, and 21 percent of its crop was planted by Sunday in the sector from Atlantic to Sidney.
On the Chicago Board of Trade on Monday, corn futures continued their volatile swings. The price dropped 23 cents per bushel for the May contract to $7.31 and 8 cents per bushel to $6.61 for the December contract that prices this year's crop.
Analysts said traders were balancing their portfolios for the new month, but they also were concerned about a third consecutive week of lower corn export inspections reported by the USDA, strengthening fears that higher corn prices will cut export demand.

(Source: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20110503/BUSINESS01/105030369/1001/)