63% of U.S. corn crop planted

U.S. corn planting has made another solid week to week advance but remains behind average with some of the key U.S. growing states still too wet for fieldwork.

As of Sunday, 63% of the crop is planted, compared to 40% a week ago, 87% a year ago and the five year average of 75% with the Eastern Cornbelt continuing to be the biggest trouble spot. 21% has emerged, compared to 7% last week, 53% last year and 39% on average.

Soybean planting also made a good week to week jump but the pace is dependent on farmers getting corn in the ground. 22% of beans are planted, compared to 7% a week ago, 37% a year ago and 31% on average.

Winter wheat’s also showing continued weather impact with 32% of the crop rated good to excellent, down 1% from last week, and 44% called poor to very poor, up 2%. The hot, dry conditions in the Southern Plains have sped up development with 54% headed, compared to 50% a year ago and 53% on average. Kansas State University notes some heads in that state have turned from their usual green to white because of the weather.

Conversely, the wet conditions in the Northern Plains are keeping farmers from planting with 36% of the spring crop sown, compared to 78% last year and 76% on average. Only 11% of spring wheat has emerged, compared to 52% a year ago and 44% on average.

52% of U.S. pastures and rangelands are in good to excellent shape, an increase of 4% from last week but 12% less than this time last year.