U.S. farmers continue to get their corn in the ground at a rapid rate.

Yesterday, USDA released its weekly crop progress report, which showed planting of the 2012 corn crop, at 53%, is off to a start that is ahead of last year’s crop (12%) and the average pace over the last five years (27%). The ag agency also reported 15% of the corn crop is emerged, ahead of last year’s crop (4%) and the average pace over the last five years (6%).

USDA also reported that 64% of the winter wheat crop is in "good" or "excellent" condition vs. 63% last week and 34% at the same time last year.