News

USDA: 96% of U.S. corn, 85% of soybeans planted

The USDA says U.S. corn and soybean planting advanced last week, even as wet weather continued to limit fieldwork in some key U.S. growing areas. There are uncertainties about how many acres these numbers actually represent, with the USDA counting acres producers are intending to plant, in addition to actual planted area.

As of Sunday, 96% of corn is planted, it’s usually finished at this time of year, while 89% of the crop has emerged, compared to the five-year average of 99%. 56% of U.S. corn is in good to excellent condition, down 3% on the week and 21% below a year ago.

85% of soybeans are planted, compared to 97% on average, with 71% of the crop emerged, compared to the normal pace of 91%. In the first rating of the year, 54% of U.S. beans are rated good to excellent, compared to 73% this time last year.

Weather is also impact winter wheat harvest activity, with 15% of the crop collected, compared to 34% on average, with 61% of the crop in good to excellent shape, down 3% from a week ago.

75% of spring wheat is called good to excellent, down 2% on the week, with 7% of the crop headed, compared to 29% on average.

68% of U.S. pastures and rangelands are rated good to excellent, 3% less than last week.

The USDA’s prevent plant numbers are out in August.