Late June planting of US corn to incur 50-percent loss

Corn farmers in the US Midwest who plant their corn at the later part of June may incur up to 50 percent reduction in their crop yield, University of Illinois Extension agronomist Emerson Nafziger, said.

A cooler and wetter spring has left Illinois and Indiana behind on corn and soy planting, the USDA said.

Several other states are lagging behind their normal planting schedules, but by a lesser margin.

In Illinois, the corn was seven inches high as of June 9, compared to an average of 17 inches by this time in recent years.

Nafziger said cool temperatures and the third-wettest January-through-April time period since 1895 in Illinois have gravely delayed planting.

Farmers growing soy in southern Illinois may get 50 percent of their maximum yield if they plant no later than June 25 to 30, Nafziger adds.

Some growers specifically in southern Illinois will have to replant as wet conditions have caused some seed to rot.

Most US growers will not get the yields they expected, but high prices for their crops and crop insurance should see them through, Nafziger explained.