As of May 15, three-quarters of U.S. corn acres are in the ground and a little over one-third of soybeans, according to USDA’s most recent Crop Progress report.
The 75% of corn planted as of last Sunday compares with 64% a week earlier and 82% a year earlier. Over the 5 years between 2011-15, the average corn acres planted by May 15 was 70%. Of the biggest corn producing states, the highest percentage of acres have been planted in Missouri (96%), Minnesota (93%), Iowa 88%, Illinois 83% and Nebraska (74%). Indiana, on the other hand, had less than half its corn acres planted (45%) as on last Sunday.
Also, according to the report, 43% of corn has emerged. A week earlier 27% had emerged and one year ago, 48% was emerged by this date. The 5-year average is 34%.
For soybeans, 36% of expected acres had been planted by May 15. This compares with 23% a week earlier and 41% last year at this time. The 5-year average is 32% of soybean acres planted by May 15.
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