BrownfieldAgNews reports:
Farmers made corn and soybean planting progress over the past week, despite cooler, wetter weather in some key growing areas.
The USDA says 12% of corn has been planted as of Sunday, compared to 12% a year ago and the five-year average of 10%, with 3% emerged, compared to 2% on average.
8% of soybeans are planted, compared to 8% last year and 4% on average.
50% of winter wheat is rated good to excellent, a drop of 5% from the previous week, but still significantly better than a year ago, with 17% headed, compared to the normal rate of 13%.
15% of spring wheat is planted, compared to 10% on average, with 2% emerged, just behind the usual pace of 3%.
17% of sorghum is planted, compared to 18% on average.
11% of cotton has been planted, matching the five-year average.
59% of rice is planted and 33% has emerged, both well ahead of the typical numbers for mid-to-late April.
Overall U.S. soil moisture levels saw a week-to-week improvement.
The USDA’s weekly national crop progress and condition numbers are scheduled to run through the end of November.