A cold, wet spring delayed planting through much of the central U.S. corn production areas. However, the arrival of better weather has made it possible for farmers to play catch-up from the late start.

It is no different for Lou Lamoreux, a farmer in northwestern Illinois. Lamoreuz farms 1,800 acres of farmland – this year, 1,000 acres in corn, 350 in soybeans, and the remainder split between wheat, alfalfa, and pasture. Like many others, Lamoreux continued to receive rain and chilly weather until the first week of May.

“This is the latest start to planting that I can remember since returning to the farm in 1974,” Lamoreux said. “I’m not complaining, as we were in dire need of the moisture.”

Lamoreux began planting May 5 and as of the middle of May has completed approximately 15 percent of his corn planting for the year. Even so, he’s still optimistic. The entire state of Illinois is on pace with its five-year average for planting, thanks to a few weeks of warm weather.

Planting progress changes dramatically, however, depending on where a farmer is located within the state. In central Illinois near Springfield, a dry weather spell the last week of April allowed farmers to nearly complete their planting, reaching 90 to 95 percent of their target. The northern and southern parts of the state faced harsher conditions, which delayed their planting progress. South of Springfield, only 4 percent of planting was finished before April 20, well below the five-year average of 22 percent. Once the weather improved, farmers were able to rebound and have completed 30 percent of planting.

The quick progress is due largely to modern machinery that makes it possible to move quickly in just a few days of good weather. Now, U.S. corn growers are back on track for an excellent growing season.