In this week’s Crop Progress & Condition report, USDA shows corn planting progress nationwide moved up by 12 points to stand at 26 percent this week. That is right in line with the five-year average. In the I-80 Corridor, Illinois continues to lead the planting pace with 40 percent of its crop now seeded - 11 points ahead of its average pace. Nebraska holds down the second fastest pace with 30 percent in the ground.
Soybean planting comes in at 19 percent complete across the U.S. this week compared to an average pace of 11 percent by this time of the year. Illinois leads the progress in the I-80 Corridor with 39 percent of its beans in the ground - an amazing 24 points ahead of its five-year average. Indiana is a distant second with 18 percent planted.
Cotton planting slowly edged upward to 15 percent complete nationwide this week - only one point ahead of the average pace. Of the top five producing states, Texas added a couple points to land at 20 percent while Alabama moved up to 16. Among the other states, California rocketed from 20 percent last week to a whopping 85 percent planted this week while Arizona reported 47 percent and Virginia had 31.
Grain sorghum planting across the nation increased by three points - ending up at 21 percent completion. Of the major producing states in the Plains, Texas moved up to 69 - matching its five-year average pace. Oklahoma only made slight progress - inching up to 16 percent.
Spring wheat planting nationwide increased by seven percentage points to stand at 12 percent this week. Washington states made rapid progress as it reported 74 percent planted - coming within three points of its average. All the other key producing states are still running far behind their averages. Idaho did make some good progress, moving up to 45 percent completion, but that still trails its average by 21 points.
Winter wheat condition nationwide picked up a couple of points as expected with the benefit of much needed rainfall in the central and southern Plains last week. Texas and Oklahoma both increased their good to excellent ratings by three percentage points. However, Nebraska and South Dakota both saw large drops of seven points in their ratings. Meanwhile, it is noteworthy that Kansas - even with the beneficial rains last week - saw its good to excellent rating actually slide another point lower. It should be pointed out that Kansas and Oklahoma both have more than 60 percent of their crops rated poor to very poor!
In the topsoil moisture deficit report (generally considered to measure the top four inches of soil representing the seed planting and sprouting zone), Nebraska jumps into the top spot with the driest reading of 78 percent of its acres rating short to very short. New Mexico moves into second place with 72 percent. Recent rains helped Kansas rebound with a 10 point improvement in moisture and Oklahoma reported a remarkable 36 point improvement in its rating.
In the subsoil moisture deficit report (considered to measure deep soil moisture down to a few feet where the crop roots would extend downward), New Mexico maintained the driest position with 89 percent of its acres rated short to very short which is seven points more than last week. Nebraska reports 83 percent which moves it into second place on the list after a four point decline in moisture availability since a week ago.
USDA Crop Progress 230501.pdf
