DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Corn is high, healthy and way ahead of schedule, the government says in its weekly assessment of the growing season.
The nation's corn crop is 96 percent planted, way ahead of last year's 75 percent and the 81 percent average of the last few years. Iowa is 98 percent planted.
The USDA says 76 percent of the crop has emerged nationally. The average is 48 percent. Iowa is at 81 percent.
The government says 62 percent of the crop is good, 20 percent fair and 15 percent excellent.
It's also a good start to the soybean season with 76 percent of the crop planted. Normally, it's about 42 percent. More than a third has emerged, better than the 13 percent average.
An early spring and good weather gets the credit.
