corn

Corn growers in Illinois and elsewhere are nearing the homestretch of their spring planting.

Before the rains hit, corn planting was going well in Missouri.

Corn growers in Illinois and elsewhere are putting their spring planting into high gear, more than making up for a soggy slow start.

Favorable weather over the past week has helped Illinois corn growers catch up on spring planting after a soggy, slow start.

State agriculture officials say wet, cold weather has kept Illinois farmers out of their fields this spring. Only 1 percent of the corn crop has been planted.

The number of acres Illinois farmers devote to corn crops this year is expected to dip slightly amid growers' plans to plant more soybeans statewide.

Missouri farmers appear to have grown more corn and soybeans last year than in 2012.

(UNDATED)-- Just under half of Missouri’s corn crop has matured.

Corn and soybeans in Missouri are a little behind normal, but are still looking good. The government’s latest crop report shows corn at 57 percent good or excellent. Soybeans are rated as 54 percent good or excellent.

Heat hasn’t withered crops in Missouri. The latest federal government report shows corn rated as 81 percent fair, good or excellent. Soybeans were rated 74 percent fair, good or excellent. Both crops remain a bit behind normal and last year due to heavy spring rains...