US corn and soybean producers made good progress in the fields this past week, with planting for both crops remaining ahead of the five-year average.
Monday’s USDA crop progress report showed 24% of the nationwide corn crop was in the ground as of Sunday, up 12 points from a week earlier and 2 points ahead of the five-year average. However, that was still 1 point behind last year and the average pre-report trade guess.
Meanwhile, soybean planting jumped 10 points on the week to 18% complete as of Sunday, 2 points ahead of expectations and topping last year and the five-year average at 17% and 12%, respectively.
Producers in Iowa are moving especially fast. Corn planting in the state advanced 16 points from a week earlier to 34% done, 6 points ahead of average but still a single point behind last year. An estimated 25% of the Iowa soybean crop was in the ground, compared to 11% the previous week, 23% last year and 13% on average.
In Illinois, corn planting gained 9 points on the week to 16% - well behind 23% last year and 26% on average. But soybean planting in the state climbed 12 points from a week earlier to 22% done, 2 points ahead of average but still 2 points behind a year earlier.
Corn and soybean planting in Indiana both reached 10% done as of Sunday, up from 2% and 3% the previous week and compared to 13% and 10% on average.
Corn planting in Michigan advanced 5 points on the week to 6% complete, 2 points ahead of average, while soy planting was 8% done, also 2 points ahead of average. Ohio corn planting was pegged at 8% done, up from 2% a week earlier and 2 points ahead of the state average, while soy planting 4 points ahead of average at 10% complete.
North Dakota producers had 7% of their corn crop planted as of Sunday, 2 points ahead of last year and 5 points ahead of average. Soybean planting in the state was 2% done, versus 0% on average.
Across the country, 5% of the corn crop had emerged as of Sunday, up 3 points from a week earlier and near 6% last year and 4% on average.
