The sixth USDA Crop Progress Report of the spring showed that U.S. farmers in the top 18 states continued to make rapid planting progress during the week ending May 10. Corn and soybean advanced ahead of historical averages across much of the Midwest. Favorable weather conditions helped accelerate fieldwork in several key production states, while early emergence figures suggested strong initial crop development for both corn and soybeans.

Corn: 59% planted (52% five-year average), 26% emerged (19% five-year average)

Soybeans: 45% planted (36% five-year average), 16% emerged (12% five-year average)

At the same time, winter wheat conditions remained a concern across parts of the Great Plains, where drought stress and volatile spring temperatures continued to pressure crop health. Winter wheat conditions as of May 10 were rated as:

  • Good/excellent: 28% (54% the same time last year)
  • Fair: 32%
  • Poor/very poor: 40%

While row crop planting momentum has provided some optimism, ongoing moisture deficits and uneven crop conditions are likely to remain central themes in grain markets and farm management decisions in the weeks ahead.

Read more commentary from Agriculture.com and the full report here.