LINCOLN COUNTY, TENNESSEE (RFD NEWS) — Spring planting continues to progress rapidly across the country, with USDA reporting 25 percent of the corn crop planted nationwide, 6 points ahead of the five-year average, as Tennessee farmers report one of their fastest seasons in recent memory.
Farmer Josh Ogle with the Tennessee Farm Bureau joined us on Thursday’s Market Day Report to provide an update from the Southeast region.
In his interview with RFD News, Ogle said planting has moved at an unusually fast pace this year, noting that all corn was planted about two weeks ago and soybeans were planted a week earlier. He added that his operation is roughly halfway done by the end of April, which is well ahead of typical timelines in his area.
He also discussed recent weather conditions, saying the region received between a little over two inches and about three and a half inches of rain since last Saturday, which has put crops in good condition and allowed producers to shift toward crop protection and fertilizer applications as stands continue to emerge. Early crop stands, particularly in corn, have been mixed, with some fields requiring evaluation for potential replant decisions, but overall conditions remain strong for the region.
Finally, Ogle addressed ongoing input cost pressures, especially rising energy and fertilizer prices, noting that while many producers locked in fuel supplies ahead of recent market changes, cost volatility remains a concern.
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