The weather mostly cooperated last week to keep spring corn and soybean planting ahead of the five-year average as of Sunday, May 18. Widespread rainfall has the potential to slow progress this week.

The USDA Crop Progress Report forecasts that 78% of the corn had been planted as of Sunday. This compares to a five-year average of 73%. Fifty percent of the corn has emerged. This is ahead of the 40% average.

The USDA reports that 66% of the soybeans are planted. This is 13% ahead of the five-year average. Thirty-four percent of the soybean crop has emerged. This is 11% ahead of the normal pace.

The Crop Progress Report indicates that 52% of winter wheat is in good to excellent condition. This is a 2% decrease from the previous week, but it is still 3% above last year. Sixty-four percent of the crop has headed.

Spring wheat is 82% planted and 45% of the crop has emerged. These are both ahead of the average.

Rain delays in the Delta and southeast have caused cotton planting to fall 3% below the five-year average. The crop is currently 40% planted.

Rice planting is in line with previous years at 87% planted. The crop has emerged more rapidly, with 73% emerged. Sixty-nine percent of the crop is in good to excellent shape. This is a 2% improvement from last week.

The sorghum crop is at 33% planted. This is 2% ahead of the average.

Read more results from the May 18 USDA Crop Progress Report here.