The U.S. spring planting has finally begun. There is an adage that crops always get planted, and we believe this to be true even if what gets planted is not always as originally expected. USDA reported the following crop planting progress as of 22 April:

Corn: 5 percent versus 14 percent average Soybeans: 2 percent versus 2 percent average Spring wheat: 3 percent versus 25 percent average Barley: 11 percent versus 33 percent average Oats: 31 percent versus 55 percent average 

With weather finally turning warmer and drier, the progress should begin to rapidly accelerate. Every spring planting season is a reminder of how quickly U.S. farmers, using today’s modern equipment and techniques, can put seeds into the ground giv...