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Missouri farmers anxious to plant corn

Most of Missouri is too wet to plant this week.  In fact, little progress has been made.  Ron Hardecke, who farms in Gasconade County, tells Brownfield that field work has been scarce.

“Well, there hasn’t been any yet,” said Hardecke on Monday.  “We did get the first ground sprayed this week and spread a little fertilizer, but it’s been very wet and we’re anxious to get started.”

Even near Missouri’s Bootheel, where early planting is common, Jeremie Nothdurft of Cape Girardeau has seen only a few growers making sure their planters work well.

“I’d says less than 5 percent has been planted on corn and if had to guess, maybe 25 percent of the burn-down and anhydrous has been put on,” said Nothdurft Tuesday.

The USDA says just 8 percent of Missouri’s corn is planted compared to 30 percent normally by this time.

AUDIO: Ron Hardecke (2 min. MP3)

AUDIO: Jeremie Nothdurft (2 min. MP3)