WASHINGTON, April 26 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture said planting in corn, sugar beets, oats, rice and spring wheat was well ahead of their 5-year historic averages.
The 5-year historic average for corn planting for this week of the year is 22 percent of the acreage. At this point this spring, 50 percent of the acreage is planted, the USDA said.
Historically, 37 percent of the sugar beet crop is planted by this week of the year. This year, 87 percent is already planted.
Oats acreage is 75 percent planted, compared to a 5-year average of 60 percent. Rice is 69 percent planted, compared to a historic average of 50 percent. Forty-three percent of spring wheat has been planted, compared to 27 percent historically.
Planting for cotton and sorghum are close to their historic averages at 16 percent and 25 percent planted, respectively, the USDA said.
