U.S. corn plantings are about half way to where they were last year at this time, and only two-thirds of the average planting progress of the past 5 years, according to the USDA’s Crop Progress report issued today.

Corn

For the 18 states that planted 92% of last year’s corn acreage, about 40% of the crop is in the ground. This is behind the 80% planted at this time last year, and the average of the 2006- 2010 period of 59% planted at this time of the year.

Soybeans

For the 18 states that planted 95% of last year’s soybean acreage, roughly 7% of the crop is planted. The current crop progress is behind the 28% planted at this time last year, and behind the average of the 2006-2010 period of 17% planted at this time of the year.

Winter Wheat

For the 18 states that planted 91% of last year’s winter wheat, approximately 42% of the crop is headed. The current crop progress is ahead of the 39% headed at this time last year, as well as the average of the 2006-2010 period of 40% planted at this time of the year. USDA reports that 34% of the crop is in “good” or “excellent” condition, slightly below the 35% in “good” or “excellent” condition last week. At this time last year, 68% of the winter wheat crop was in “good” or “excellent” condition.

Spring Wheat

For the 6 states that planted 99% of last year’s spring wheat acreage, only 6% of the crop is emerged. The current crop progress is behind the 36% emerged at this time last year, as well as the average of the 2006-2010 period of 43% planted at this time of the year.