In this week’s Crop Progress & Condition report, USDA showed rapid corn planting progress nationwide as it moved up to 65 percent complete this week - six percentage points ahead of the five-year average. In the important I-80 Corridor, Iowa takes over the top spot with 86 percent of its acres already planted - 14 points ahead of schedule. Illinois is right behind with 84 percent in the ground. Ohio had been lagging badly but is gaining momentum as it pushed up to 26 percent.
Soybean planting continued to make big strides coming in at 49 percent complete across the US, well ahead of its average pace of 36 percent by this time of the year. Illinois has made the most progress in the I-80 Corridor with 77 percent planted - an incredible 32 points ahead of its average pace. Iowa reported that it is 69 percent planted as it is running 21 points ahead of where it normally would be. Nebraska set a blistering pace last week as it put in 26 percent of its acres in just the last seven days to post a 62 percent total thus far.
Cotton planting continues to hover close to its average pace. Nationwide, 35 percent of the cotton crop is now planted, which is only one point behind the five-year average. Of the top five producing states, Alabama leads the charge with 51 percent now in the ground. Mississippi is one point ahead of schedule at 43 percent. The largest producing state of Texas bumped up to 30 percent this week.
Grain sorghum planting across the nation stayed even with its average pace - coming in at 28 percent completion. Of the major producing states in the Plains, Texas is far and away reporting the most progress with 76 percent of its acreage now planted. Oklahoma comes in second with 23 percent but that is actually nine points ahead of its average.
Spring wheat planting nationwide still has some catching up to do with only 40 percent of the acres now seeded compared to the average of 57 percent. Washington state is almost done as it now stands at 95 percent, but South Dakota put in a tremendous performance as it planted 28 percent of its crop since a week ago to bring its total up to 84 percent which - believe it or not - is now six points AHEAD of schedule after a dismal start earlier this spring.
Winter wheat condition nationwide held steady at 29 percent good to excellent. In the Plains states, Nebraska and South Dakota capitalized on recent rains to show a five-point improvement in each state. However, Kansas reported a one point decline in its good to excellent rating just as the annual wheat tour gears up to hit the fields this Tuesday morning (5/16).
Pasture conditions improved in most of the main cattle producing states. In the Plains states, Nebraska saw the biggest jump with a nine-point improvement in the good to excellent rating. However, that still leaves Nebraska pastureland in the cellar with only an 11 percent total. Outside the Plains, Montana had the biggest decline in quality as it slid nine points to only 20 percent in the good to excellent categories. On the other hand, North Dakota reported a huge rebound of 14 points since last week to now stand at 46 percent.
In the topsoil moisture deficit report (generally considered to measure the top four inches of soil representing the seed planting and sprouting zone), New Mexico holds down the top spot with 72 percent of its acres considered to be short to very short on moisture. Most of the Plains states saw significant improvements in their topsoil moisture profiles. But, Florida saw its deficit numbers skyrocket by 22 points last week to where 49 percent of its acres are now meeting the short to very short criteria.
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 82 percent of its acres rated short to very short despite the fact that it showed an eight-point improvement from a week ago. Kansas still showed that 78 percent of its deep soil was parched since moisture from recent rains hasn’t yet soaked down to the lower layers.
USDA Crop Progress 230515.pdf
