i'm john phipps. after historic march weather, the expectation to the major planting season has sputtered to a fitful start, as dry weather frustrates farmers' plans. at the same time, the return to normal april weather seems like a return to winter. all this anxiety i think stems from the deep conviction that the 2012 crop really matters. the realization that burdensome surpluses of the past has gone is finally sinking in. now for the headlines. >> reporter: a remarkably mild spring has planters rolling. about 3% of the nation's corn crop is already in the ground. planters are rolling in a number of states. the five-year average shows planting is typically not underway at this time. five percent of the crop is planted in illinois and two percent in michigan. tennessee and missouri are ahead of pace. also from the field, the the condition of the winter wheat crop continuing to improve. more than 20 points ahead of where it was years ago. china's back in the market for u.s. corn. reports indicate that

. >>> i'm john phipps, say, thank you for watching us farm imports. make sure you join us next week. we will be looking to do even better.

welcome to u-s farm report, i'm john phipps. . >> welcome to united states farm report.rmers successfully derailed new child labor regulations this week. tine has the details. i have long suspected the real rule makers for agriculture would not be politicians as much as consumers and trading partners. this appears to be the case for the protein sector. from gestation crates big food is setting standards. arguing with your buyer is financially dangerous. especially if the competition is ready to meet the new requirements. >> thank you. hello. the department of labor is giving up on its plan to change rules regarding kid whose work on farms. they said they got thousands of complaints farm families about the potential impact the rules could have. the first plan would have restricts children under the age of 16 from do doing many jobs. they are withdrawing the plan and won't pursue it. >>> weeks after the pink slime threat the discovery of a mad cow disease case in california. officials were quick to say there is no risk to the human food chain from this case. the case invol