U.S. corn and soybean planting continued to progress ahead of the average pace this past week as fieldwork accelerated in some states where it had been lagging.
Monday’s USDA crop progress report showed the nationwide corn crop at 76% planted as of Sunday, up 19 points from the previous week and 6 points ahead of the five-year average. An identical 76% of the corn crop had been planted at this time last year.
American soybean planting was pegged at 67% complete as of Sunday, a weekly advance of 18 points. That is 14 points ahead of average and 4 points ahead of last year.
In Michigan - where producers had been bogged down by wet, cold conditions - corn planting surged 30 points from a week earlier to reach 47% complete as of Sunday. However, that remains behind 60% last year and 52% on average. Soybean planting in Michigan jumped 25 points on the week to 37% complete, versus 50% last year and 46% on average.
North Dakota producers also made rapid progress after earlier weather-related delays. Corn planting on the state gained 33 points from the previous week to 58% complete as of Sunday, now 18 points ahead of average although still behind 65% last year. Soy planting advanced 25 points to 41% done, far ahead of 28% on average but lagging 43% last year.
In the largest production state of Iowa, corn planting reached 88% complete as of Sunday, up from 72% a week earlier and 6 points ahead of average. Soybean planting in the state was 80% done, up 20 points from a week earlier and 12 points clear of the average.
At 75% done, corn planting in Illinois was up 21 points on the week and 6 points ahead of average, while soybean planting in the state was 74% complete, compared to 57% a week earlier and 63% on average. Indiana corn and soybean planting was both 67% finished as of Sunday, 10 and 17 points ahead of the five-year average, respectively.
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