U.S. farmers made the most of good weather the past 2 weeks and as of Sunday, June 1, USDA is reporting that 95% of U.S. corn acreage is planted and 78% of soybeans are in the ground.
The 95% of corn acres planted put 2014 ahead of the 5-year average of 94%. This compares with 90% of corn planted on this date a year ago. A week earlier 88% of corn had been sown. Even the states where corn planting was lagging made headway, but still remain most of the Corn Belt: in Pennsylvania 80% of corn is in the ground, 81% in Michigan and 86% in North Dakota and Wisconsin.
USDA also reports that 80% of corn acreage had emerged as of Sunday. This compares with 60% a week ago, 71% a year ago and the 5-year average of 80%.
The ag agency also says that 52% of U.S. corn is in “good” condition and 11% is in “excellent” condition. Of the remaining acres, 30% is rated in “fair” condition, 5% “poor” and 2% “very poor.”
As for soybeans, USDA says that 78% is planted vs. 59% the previous week and 55% a year earlier. The 5-year average for acres planted by June 1 is 70%.
Half of soybean acres have emerged compared to 25% a week earlier and 29% a year ago. The 5-year average for this date is 45%.