Yesterday, USDA released its weekly crop progress report for corn, winter wheat and spring wheat. For the 18 states that planted 92% of last year’s corn acreage, approximately 7% of the crop is planted, which is behind last year’s 16% on this date. This year’s planting rate is about in line with the average of the 2006-2010 period of 8% planted at this time of the year.
For the 18 states that planted 91% of last year’s winter wheat acreage in the U.S., roughly 14% of the crop is headed. The current crop progress is ahead of the 6% headed at this time last year, as well as the average of the 2006-2010 period of 10% planted at this time of the year.
For the 6 states that planted 99% of last year’s spring wheat acreage, roughly 5% of the crop is planted. The current crop progress is behind the 18% planted at this time last year, as well as the average of the 2006-2010 period of 12% planted at this time of the year.
The agency also reported that 36% of the winter wheat crop is in “good” or “excellent” condition vs. 69% at the same time last year. Corn, soybean and spring wheat crop conditions will not likely be published until later in the growing season.