News

Corn, soybean planting, emergence remain slower than average

USDA’s reporting another mixed week of corn and soybean planting progress as weather issues persist in key U.S. growing areas.

As of Sunday, 79% of corn is planted, compared to 92% a year ago and 87% for the five year average. Still, even with planting moving from 63% last week to 79% this week, some of the key areas of the Cornbelt are a long way off from average with Indiana, North Dakota, and Pennsylvania all less than halfway through. 45% of corn has emerged, compared to 69% last year and 59% on average with the biggest problem areas the Eastern Cornbelt and Northern Plains.

Soybeans are having pretty much the same issues as corn. 41% of the crop is planted, compared to 51% both a year ago and on average, with emergence at 12%, compared to 22% last year and 19% on average.

32% of winter wheat is in good to excellent condition, unchanged from last week but 45% is rated poor to very poor, up 1% from a week ago. 62% has headed, compared to 61% a year ago and 65% on average.

Cool, wet weather in the Northern Plains has spring wheat planting slower than normal with 54% planted, compared to 89% a year ago and 89% on average. Only 24% has emerged, compared to 67% last year and 64% on average.

54% of U.S. pastures and rangelands are in good to excellent condition, up 2% from a week ago but down 13% from a year ago.