Reuters reports that farmers throughout the country are hesitant to plant corn until crop insurance coverage starts up. Unseasonably warm temperatures are said to have many farmers in Virginia anxiously awaiting the opportunity to begin planting.

The source notes that many farmers aim to have corn crops planted by the middle of May, but weather including heavy rain and flooding has altered their timing in recent years. The temptation to begin planting ahead of time comes from many farmers needing to catch up after the limited supply last year.

Reuters says that some farmers took advantage of warm temperatures by planting in March while many are awaiting the insurance date of April 6.

While crop insurance helps protect farmers and other agricultural producers from natural disasters that damage farmlands such as floods, they may not offer coverage for crops that are planted out of season.

"Most have been impatiently waiting for the April 6 insurance date before getting too serious about planting corn," Robert Nielsen, a specialist at Purdue University, told the source.