Corn Planting Now 7% Behind Five-Year Average

U.S. corn planting posted another big week. As of May 22, 72% of the crop is planted, up from 49% complete as of May 15. The five-year average for late May is 79% complete.

North Dakota is the furthest behind, with only 20% planted versus a five-year average of 46% by late May. Minnesota is 60% planted, which compares to a five-year average of 86%.

So far 39% of the U.S. corn crop has emerged. That compares to an average pace of 51%.

For soybeans, 50% of the U.S. crop has been planted. That compares to a five-year average of 55%.

Again, Minnesota and North Dakota are the furthest behind their average planting paces for soybeans. Meanwhile, 12 of the top 18 soybean-growing states are ahead of average in soybean planting pace.

As of May 22, 21% of the soybean crop has emerged. That compares to an average pace of 26%

Only 49% of the U.S. spring wheat crop is in the ground. The five-year average is 83% by late May. The states furthest behind average include Minnesota and North Dakota, which produce two-thirds of the crop.

As for winter wheat, 63% of the U.S. crop has headed. That compares to an average of 65%. Condition ratings include:

• Very poor: 22%
• Poor: 18%
• Fair: 21%
• Good: 24%
• Excellent: 4%

How is your planting season going? Have your crops emerged? Share your crop report with AgWeb’s Crop Comments.