USDA released planting estimate for 2012 production at 95.7 million acres of corn.  The corn belt continues to grow as many of the increased acres are outside of the heart of the corn belt.  Total acres of corn up 4% and Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana only up 1.5%.  North Dakota showed a large increase on a combination of new acres and return of corn acres that had been out of production from flooding problems.
   Surprising is the number of corn acres already planted in northern Illinois that I have noticed.  While the ground is in perfect condition to plant I have decided to wait 2 weeks. With the warm soil conditions the freshly planted corn will emerge in 5 days or less, the warm weather next week, and some rain would put the growth stage of the corn plant exposed to a frost before our average frost free date which is April 25th.  Some corn will have a full 30 days by then.  Frost damage can reduce populations in the field and some replanting would be possible.
   Many farmers plan to start planting just after Easter and have prepared fields for planting.  The early spring has definitely helped meet the challenge to plant 95.7 million acres and world demand gives the expectation that the harvest will be needed.  While I don't expect record prices this fall the moderation in corn prices should allow hog production to expand and consume more grain and ethanol plants to keep running.  It will be some time before the Beef herd can return to normal even though rains are beginning to come to Texas.
                                                              Enjoy your Easter week activities.  Dean