What does Groundhog Day mean for Spring Planting in SD?

Does the infamous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction each February 2^nd have any correlation to the progress of South Dakota farmers’ corn planting each year? While there is nothing scientific about the prediction, could there be more to the shadow or lack thereof?

Take a look at South Dakota’s corn planting progress as we enter the third week of May during each of the last five years.

*Planting stats provided by South Dakota’s USDA- NASS field office

Each time that Phil has predicted an early spring, corn planting progress in South Dakota has been past the 70% mark in the third week of May. If this trend holds true, it looks like corn seeding will be later again as it was in 2008-2010.

So is there something to the shadow? Or is this folklore a simple coincidence?