RICE — Agronomists say this year features the earliest opportunity in recorded history for corn planting.

Farmers have been itching to plant and if the weather favors them it could help make up for last year. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, corn produced on average 21 fewer bushels per harvested acre in 2011 than in 2010.

University of Minnesota Extension agriculture expert Dan Martens urged farmers to wait until at least this past Wednesday before planting.

Bruce Olson plans to soon plant 500 acres of corn and another 100 of soybeans on his farm near Rice. He’s never had his corn in the ground earlier. He said he had a “super crop” two years ago when he was done planting in April.