(USDA) U.S. corn planting crossed the halfway mark last week, while soybean planting continued to outpace last year’s progress, according to USDA NASS’ weekly Crop Progress report released Monday.
Winter wheat conditions also saw modest improvement, ticking up three percentage points from the previous week, NASS noted.
Meanwhile, a midweek storm system is forecast to bring much-needed rainfall to drought-affected regions. However, cooler air behind the system may trigger frost concerns this weekend across parts of the northern U.S., according to DTN Ag Meteorologist John Baranick.
CORN
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Planting progress: As of Sunday, May 11, 62% of the nation’s corn crop had been planted, a sharp 22-point increase from the previous week. That places this year’s progress 15 percentage points ahead of last year’s 47% and 6 points ahead of the five-year average of 56%. “Illinois and Iowa are 54% and 76% planted, respectively, while Nebraska and Minnesota are both over 73%,” said DTN Senior Analyst Dana Mantini.
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Emergence: About 28% of corn had emerged by Sunday, running 7 points ahead of both last year and the five-year average of 21%.
SOYBEANS
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Planting progress: Soybean planting reached 48% completion by Sunday, 14 points ahead of last year’s 34% and 11 points above the five-year average of 37%. Nebraska leads with 62% of its crop planted, which is 28 points ahead of last year and 16 points above its five-year norm. “Illinois and Iowa are at 51% and 64% planted,” Mantini added.
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Emergence: Seventeen percent of soybeans had emerged, putting this year 2 points ahead of last year and 6 points ahead of the five-year average of 11%.
