Planting in corn, sugar beets, oats, rice and spring wheat was well ahead of their 5-year historic averages, the U. S. Department of Agriculture has said.

The USDA said that the 5-year historic average for corn planting for this week of the year is 22 percent of the acreage. At this point this spring, 50 percent of the acreage is planted.

It was also noted by the report that historically, 37 percent of the sugar beet crop is planted by this week of the year. This year, 87 percent is already planted.

Oats acreage is 75 percent planted, compared to a 5-year average of 60 percent. Rice is 69 percent planted, compared to a historic average of 50 percent. Forty-three percent of spring wheat has been planted, compared to 27 percent historically.

The USDA further said that planting for cotton and sorghum are close to their historic averages at 16 percent and 25 percent planted, respectively. (With Inputs from Agencies)