USDA Crop Progress Report 05/12

Good weather last week in some key growing areas, U.S. corn planting is now slightly ahead of average.

Corn: As of Sunday, 59% of corn is planted, compared to 26% a year ago and the five year average of 58%. Still, there are significant delays in some states, including Michigan, Minnesota, and North Dakota. 18% of corn has emerged, compared to 25% on average.

Soybeans: 20% are planted, compared to 5% last year and 21% on average as farmers concentrate on getting corn planted.

Winter Wheat: Parts of the Southern Plains did get receive rainfall, but most of the region remained dry. 30% of winter wheat is rated good to excellent, down 1% on the week, while 42% is called poor to very, up 4% from last week. 44% of winter wheat has headed, compared to 46% on average.

Spring Wheat: Planting is also moving slower than normal due to cool, wet conditions in the Northern Plains, with 34% planted, compared to 53% on average, and 12% emerged, compared to 27% on average.

Pastures and Rangeland: 41% of U.S. pastures and rangelands are in good to excellent shape, up 2% on the week.

View the May 12, 2014 USDA Crop Progress Report here: http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/current/CropProg/CropProg-05-12-2014.pdf