News

5% of U.S. corn, 2% of soybeans planted

 

U.S. corn planting made some progress over the past week, but remains slower than normal because of cool, wet conditions in some key U.S. growing areas. Conditions this week in most of the region are expected to be warmer, which should allow for better progress. As of Sunday, the USDA says 5% of the crop is planted, compared to 15% a year ago and the five year average of 14%.

Soybean planting is 2% complete, compared to 5% last year, but matching the usual pace.

At 3%, spring wheat planting did not advance at all from last week because of snow and cold temperatures in most of the northern U.S. Plains. A year ago at this time, 21% of the crop was planted and the five year average of 25% complete.

31% of winter wheat is in good to excellent shape, steady with last week, but down 23% on the year with drought or near drought conditions in the southwestern U.S. Plains. The fair and poor to very poor categories were unchanged from a week ago at 32% and 37%, respectively. 13% of winter wheat has headed, compared to 30% last year and the usual pace of 19%.

More than 60% of the U.S. reports adequate soil moisture levels.