The most recent Crop Progress report from USDA reported 67% of corn had been planted as of the week ended May 10. This far exceeds the 28% planted in the same week last year.

The USDA Crop Progress report for the week ended May 3, 2020 showed planting progress for both corn and soybeans above progress for the same week last year, as well as above their respective five year averages.

The most recent USDA crop progress report showed corn planting progress increase significantly over the previous week. Planting progress reached 27% planted vs. 7% in the previous week, above the five year average of 20% and the 12% planted this time last year.

The latest USDA crop progress report shows both corn and soybean planting progress remains ahead of last year's numbers. Almost all other reported crops are on track with or ahead of last year's numbers as well.

The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program unveiled by Sonny Perdue, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, is designed to provide $19 billion to support farmers and ranchers while maintaining the integrity of the food supply chain, according to the USDA.

The second USDA crop progress report, released April 13, shows that corn planting progress is on track with 2019 progress at 3% planted.

The $2 trillion appropriations bill known as the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provides funding to the USDA for salaries and other expenses to cover costs for response efforts as well as reimbursement for funds previously spent in direct assistance to producers. University of Illinois economists explain how the funding will be used.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced a new pilot program that enables farmers in the Prairie Pothole region to receive payments for planting cover crops on their land for three to five years. The new Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Soil Health and Income Protection Program (SHIPP) pilot is available to producers in Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced the third and final tranche of 2019 Market Facilitation Program (MFP) payments. The payments will begin to show up in farmers’ bank accounts by the end of this week.