(AP) — Persistent rainfall this spring has put Indiana farmers well behind schedule in planting their crops.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics show just 3% of this year’s expected corn crop was planted as of early May, which is far below the five-year average of 35%. Indiana’s prime planting period to maximize corn production in most of the state was from April 20 to May 10.
The planting season began slowly last year before roughly 60% of the state’s corn crops were planted in early May during a two-week period.
Federal data indicates that just 1% of soybeans have been planted in Indiana as of early May, which is substantially less than the 12% five-year average. But Indiana farmers can plant soybeans until early June.
