USDA Weekly Crop Progress

By Cheri Zagurski
DTN Managing Editor
and
Russ Quinn
DTN Staff Reporter

OMAHA (DTN) -- The pace of corn and soybean planting in the U.S. slowed somewhat in the week ended May 15, according to USDA's latest Crop Progress report, perhaps due to excess rain in various areas of the Corn Belt and cool temps keeping fields from drying out.

Corn is 75% planted, compared to 64% last week, 82% last year and a five-year average of 70%. Emergence is pegged at 43%, compared to 27% last week, 48% last year and 34% on average.

"Monday's report should be viewed as neutral for corn with significant planting delays noted in Indiana and Ohio," said DTN Analyst Todd Hultman.

Soybean planting is 36% complete, compared to 23% last week, 41% last year and a 32% average. Soybean emergence was reported for the first time this growing season at 10%, compared to 11% last year and a 9% five-year average.

"Monday's report should be viewed as bearish for soybeans," Hultman said.

Winter wheat is 68% headed, compared to 57% last week, 65% last year and 56% on average. Winter wheat condition worsened just a tad at 8% poor to very poor, compared to 7% last week.

"Winter wheat conditions resulted in a two-point reduction in the DTN Winter Wheat Condition Index to 156," Hultman said. "DTN's index is up from 109 a year ago and well above the five-year average of 68. Monday's report is bearish for winter wheat."

Spring wheat is 89% planted and 60% emerged, compared with 77% and 39% last week, 92% and 63% last year and 64% and 36% on average. "Monday's report is bearish for spring wheat," Hultman said.

Cotton is 40% planted, compared to 26% last week, 32% last year and a 39% average. Rice is 87% planted and 76% emerged, compared to 82% and 67% last week, 87% and 65% last year, and 79% and 62% on average. Rice condition improved to 60% good to excellent, compared to 57% last week.

Sorghum is 33% planted compared to 30% last week, 36% last year and a 36% average. Oats are 94% planted and 81% emerged, compared to 88% and 70% last week, 95% and 80% last year and 83% and 66% averages. Oats condition improved slightly to 73% good to excellent, compared to 72% last week. Barley is 90% planted and 68% emerged, compared to 79% and 47% last week, 93% and 68% last year, and 71% and 42% averages. Barley condition was reported for the first time this growing season at 75% good to excellent.

**

The following are highlights from weekly crop progress reports issued by National Ag Statistics Service offices in individual states. To view the full reports from each state, visit http://www.nass.usda.gov/…

Colorado

Cool, wet conditions persisted in widespread fashion last week. However, several days during the previous week saw trace precipitation, which permitted fieldwork in some instances. Planting activities were generally limited outside this narrow window of opportunity while germination and growth of some crops were hindered in kind. Days suitable for fieldworks was at 5.3 days with a five-year average of 5.2 days. Topsoil moisture was 2% very poor, 8% short, 77% adequate and 13% surplus. Subsoil moisture was 4% very poor, 13% short, 76% adequate and 7% surplus. Barley was 96% planted and 70% emerged. Corn was 64% planted and 8% emerged. Sorghum was 3% planted with a five year average of 13%. Spring wheat was 72% planted and 35% emerged. Winter wheat was 88% jointed and 20% headed. Barley crop condition was 18% fair, 64% good and 18% excellent. Winter wheat is 1% very poor, 11% poor, 23% fair, 52% good and 13% excellent. Several instances of stripe rust were reported in the eastern district as a consequence of recent conditions.

Illinois

Wet and cool conditions kept producers out of the field for much of the past week. Statewide, the average temperature was 58.8 degrees, 2.9 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 2.09 inches, 1.19 inches above normal. There were 1.1 days suitable for fieldwork during the week. Topsoil moisture supply was rated at 2% short, 67% adequate and 31% surplus. Subsoil moisture supply was rated at 2% short, 77% adequate and 21% surplus. Corn planted was at 83%, compared to the five-year average of 76 percent. Corn emerged was at 64%, compared to 66% last year and the five year average of 45%. Soybeans planted was at 29% with a five-year average of 31%. Soybeans emerged was at 10 percent, compared to 13% last year and a five-year average of 8%. Winter wheat headed was at 80%, up 15 percentage points from last week. Winter wheat condition was rated 3% very poor, 4% poor, 31% fair, 51% good and 11% excellent. Oats planted reached 93%, compared to the five-year average of 91%. Oat condition was 1% very poor, 2% poor, 14% fair, 75% good and 8% excellent.

Indiana

Planting progress continued to be behind schedule due to increased rainfall and below-average temperatures. Overcast skies and periods of heavy rains kept the soils too damp for planting in many parts of the state. There were 1.1 days available for fieldwork for the week ending May 15, down 0.6 day from the previous week. Topsoil moisture is 0% very poor, 1% short, 48% adequate and 51% surplus. Subsoil moisture is 1% very poor, 2% short, 63% adequate and 34% surplus. Corn planted was 45% this week with a five-year average of 61%. Corn emerged was 28% with 31% the five-year average. Soybeans planted was at 15% with a five-year average of 31%. Soybeans emerged were at 3% with 11% being the five-year average. Winter wheat jointed is at 93% with the five-year average of 87%. Winter wheat headed was at 54% with a five-year average of 38%. Winter wheat crop condition is 1% very poor, 4% poor, 20% fair, 56% good and 19% excellent.

Iowa

Wet and cold conditions across much of Iowa slowed field work or even brought it to a standstill this past week. Statewide, there were just 2.2 days suitable for fieldwork. There were some reports of frost in low-lying areas. Topsoil moisture levels rated 0% very short, 1% short, 82% adequate and 17% surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 0% very short, 1% short, 83% adequate and 16% surplus. Similar to last week, the western third of Iowa reported the largest percentages of surplus and adequate subsoil moisture levels. Eighty-eight percent of the corn crop has been planted, a day behind last year, but four days ahead of the five-year average. Farmers in north-central and central Iowa are close to completion with 97% or more of the corn crop planted. Fifty-one percent of corn has emerged, five days ahead of the average. Forty-three percent of the soybean acreage has been planted, two days ahead of normal. There were scattered reports of soybeans emerged. Oats emerged reached 94%, six days ahead of the previous year and nine days ahead of the average. Oat condition was rated 78% good to excellent.

Kansas

Temperatures were near normal in the eastern two-thirds of the state, but up to 4 degrees below normal in the western third. Portions of the northeast received up to 4 inches of rain, with lesser amounts elsewhere. There were 4.8 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture rated 2% very short, 7% short, 80% adequate and 11% surplus. Subsoil moisture rated 3% very short, 12% short, 80% adequate and 5% surplus. Winter wheat condition was rated 57% good to excellent. Winter wheat headed was 89%, ahead of 81% last year and well ahead of 65% average. Coloring was 5%, near 4% last year. Corn condition was rated 66% good to excellent. Corn planted was 80%, ahead of 75% last year, but near 76% average. Emerged was 51%, near 49% last year, but ahead of 43% average. Soybeans planted was 14%, near 15% last year, but behind 25% average. Emerged was 1%, behind 6% last year and average. Sorghum planted was 3%, near 5% last year, but behind 7% average. Alfalfa hay first cutting was 9% complete.

Michigan

There were 3.1 days suitable for fieldwork in Michigan this past. Spring-like weather during the first half of the week gave way to October-like weather by week's end as daytime highs across the state remained below 70 degrees and nighttime lows stayed below 50 degrees for most of the week. Topsoil moisture was 1% very short, 3% short, 52 adequate and 44% surplus. Subsoil moisture was 0% very short, 3% short, 61% adequate and 36% surplus. Corn planted was 34% compared to the five-year average of 51%. Corn emerged was at 6% while the five-year average was 16%. Soybeans planted was at 14% with a five-year average of 28%. Winter wheat jointed was 69%, winter wheat headed was at 2% with a five-year average of 6%. Oats planted was at 66% with a five-year average of 78%. Oats emerged was at 32% with a five-year average of 48%. Winter wheat crop condition was at 74% good to excellent.

Minnesota

Below-normal temperatures throughout Minnesota slowed crop development and raised concerns about freeze damage in the northern and central parts of the state. There were 2.3 days suitable for fieldwork, with the southern parts of the state limited to 1.5 days or less due to continued precipitation. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 1% very short, 12% short, 74% adequate and 13% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 2% very short, 9% short, 79% adequate and 10% surplus. Corn was 93% planted, 16 days ahead of the five-year average, but six days behind last year. Fifty-three percent of the corn crop had emerged, nine days ahead of average. Soybean planting was 63% complete, 11 days ahead of average, but a week behind last year. Nine percent of the soybean crop had emerged. Spring wheat was 78% emerged, 17 days ahead of average, but six days behind last year. The first spring wheat condition rating of the year was estimated at 70% good to excellent. Eighty-four percent of the oat crop had emerged, with 18% of acreage at or beyond the jointing stage. Oat condition was rated 80% good to excellent. The barley crop was 95% planted and 73% emerged. The first barley condition rating of the year was estimated at 78% good to excellent.

Missouri

Wet weather limited fieldwork across much of the state this past week. There were 2.9 days suitable for fieldwork. Temperatures averaged 62.2 degrees, 0.8 degree below normal. Precipitation averaged 1.85 inches statewide, 0.81 inch above normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 3% very short, 8% short, 77% adequate and 12% surplus. Subsoil moisture supply was rated 3% very short, 8% short, 82% adequate and 7% surplus. Corn planting was 96% complete, 18 percentage points ahead of the five-year average, and corn emerged progressed to 85%, 31 points ahead of the five-year average. Soybean planting progressed to 31% complete and emerged progressed to 14% complete. Cotton planting was 91% complete, 38 percentage points ahead of the five-year average. Rice emerged progressed to 93%. Wheat headed reached 90%, compared to 69% for the five-year average. Winter wheat condition was rated 68% percent good to excellent.

Nebraska

Rain amounts of 1 to 2 inches were common across the eastern half of the state during the first half of the week, with heavier amounts in east-central counties. Hail accompanied the rain in portions of the state. Planting progress was limited in eastern counties as producers waited for soils to dry. Temperatures averaged 2 to 6 degrees below normal. There were 3.9 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 2% short, 80% adequate and 18% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 3% short, 86% adequate and 11% surplus. Corn planted was at 74%, behind the five-year average of 81%, and emerged was at 30%, behind 35% average. Sorghum planted was at 13%, behind 21% average. Soybeans planted were at 29%, behind 43% average, and emerged were at 3%, behind 8% average. Winter wheat jointed was at 91%, ahead of 74% average, and headed was at 34%, ahead of 17% average. Winter wheat condition was rated 67% good to excellent.

North Dakota

Temperatures ranged from 2 to 8 degrees below normal this past week. Rainfall of up to half an inch was received across the state. Frost damaged some early planted and emerged crops. Replanting of crops may occur after assessing the damage. There were 5.8 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 2% very short, 22% short, 74% adequate and 2% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 1% very short, 20% short, 77% adequate and 2% surplus. Winter wheat jointed was 51%, ahead of 38% last year. Winter wheat condition was rated 70% good to excellent. Durum wheat planted was 68%, well ahead of 36% for the five-year average, and emerged was 34%, ahead of 15% average. Spring wheat planted was 87%, well ahead of 51% average, and emerged was 52%, well ahead of 27% average. Corn planted was 76%, well ahead of 43% average, and emerged was 22%, ahead of 10% average. Soybeans planted was 52%, well ahead of 21% average, and emerged was 6%, near 2% average. Canola planted was 60%, well ahead of 37% average, and emerged was 22%, ahead of 11% average.

Ohio

Spring planting continued to be slowed by cold, wet conditions this past week. There was 1.0 day suitable for fieldwork. Corn and soybean planting progress is behind both last year and the five-year average, as farmers have been unable to get into fields that are soggy and, in some cases, in standing water. Conditions have slowed emergence, and much of what has emerged is stressed. Some areas saw cool enough temperatures to have frost on Sunday morning. Statewide, topsoil moisture was rated 48% adequate and 52% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 1% short, 57% adequate and 42% surplus. Corn was 34% planted, behind the average of 54%, and 21% of the crop was emerged, slightly behind the average of 24%. Soybeans were 10% planted, also behind the average pace of 28%, and emerged were 3%, behind the average of 7%. Winter wheat was 92% jointed and 32% headed, ahead of the average of 17% headed. Winter wheat conditions were rated 81% good to excellent.

Oklahoma

The southeastern parts of Oklahoma experienced heavy rain and thunderstorms over this past week while much of the northwest had very little. Precipitation averaged 0.76 inch across the state, ranging from 0.10 inch in the Panhandle district to 1.96 inches in the east-central district. Statewide, temperatures averaged in the mid-60s, with the lowest recording of 38 degrees at Boise City on May 9 and the highest recording of 99 degrees at Altus on May 10. Statewide, topsoil moisture was rated 4% very short, 20% short, 73% adequate and 3% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 3% very short, 18% short, 76% adequate and 3% surplus. Canola coloring reached 36%, down 16 points from normal. Corn planted reached 65%, down 15 points from normal, and emerged reached 48%, down 10 points from normal. Sorghum planted reached 36%, up 6 points from normal. Soybeans seeded reached 27%, up 5 points from normal, and emerged reached 1%, down 3 points from normal. Winter wheat condition was rated 65% good to excellent.

South Dakota

Below-average temperatures and wet conditions were experienced across most of the state this past week. Weekend frost was reported in the north. There were 4.1 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 5% short, 82% adequate and 13% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 1% very short, 8% short, 83% adequate and 8% surplus. Winter wheat jointed was at 60%, ahead of 42% last year, and headed was at 5%, equal to the five-year average. Winter wheat condition was rated 74% good to excellent. Corn planted was at 62%, near 65% average, and emerged was at 17%, near 21% average. Spring wheat planted was at 97%, ahead of 88% average, and emerged was at 83%, well ahead of 56% average. Jointed was at 2%. Spring wheat condition was rated 69% good to excellent. Soybeans planted were at 28%, near 24% average, and emerged were 1%, near 3% average. Sorghum planted was at 6%, near 5% average.

Texas

Thunderstorms moved across the central half of Texas this past week, providing much-needed rainfall to many areas. Five or more inches were reported in the Cross Timbers. Areas of the Coastal Bend, the Lower Valley and south Texas reached upwards of 3 inches, while the Southern Plains received 2 or more inches of meaningful precipitation. Statewide, topsoil moisture was rated 5% very short, 22% short, 55% adequate and 18% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 4% very short, 19% short, 62% adequate and 15% surplus. Corn was 78% planted, behind the average of 86%. Corn emerged was 64% and silked was 17%. Cotton was 30% planted and 5% squaring. Rice was 93% planted and 85% emerged. Sorghum was 71% planted and 21% headed. Soybeans were 61% planted, behind the average of 72%, and 44% were emerged, behind the average of 57%. Winter wheat was 97% headed, ahead of the average of 86%, and 2% was harvested, near the average of 3%.

Wisconsin

There were 3.8 days suitable for fieldwork this past week. Rain early in the week slowed fieldwork while below-normal temperatures and windy conditions made it a chilly week for planting. Overnight lows dipped into the 20s for much of the state over the weekend with snow squalls reported in some areas. Reporters noted widespread concern about frost damage to newly emerged crops. As of this report, it was too early to make a thorough assessment of the damage. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 1% very short, 8% short, 78% adequate and 13% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 6% short, 86% adequate and 8% surplus. As of Sunday, corn planted was at 76% complete, 10 days ahead of the five-year average, and corn emerged was at 17%, three days ahead of the five-year average. Thirty-three percent of the state's expected soybean acres were planted, five days ahead of the five-year average, and soybean acres emerged were reported at 1%. Winter wheat was rated 85% in good-to-excellent condition statewide.

National Crop Progress Summary
	This	Last	Last	5-Yr
	Week	Week	Year	Avg
Corn Planted	75	64	82	70
Corn Emerged	43	27	48	34
Soybeans Planted	36	23	41	32
Soybeans Emerged	10	NA	11	9
Winter Wheat Headed	68	57	65	56
Spring Wheat Planted	89	77	92	64
Spring Wheat Emerged	60	39	63	36
Cotton Planted	40	26	32	39
Sorghum Planted	33	30	36	36
Oats Planted	94	88	95	83
Oats Emerged	81	70	80	66
Barley Planted	90	79	93	71
Barley Emerged	68	47	68	42
Rice Planted	87	82	87	79
Rice Emerged	76	67	65	62

National Crop Condition Summary
(VP=Very Poor; P=Poor; F=Fair; G=Good; E=Excellent)
	This Week						Last Week						Last Year
	VP	P	F	G	E		VP	P	F	G	E		VP	P	F	G	E
Winter Wht	1	7	30	51	11		1	6	31	51	11		6	13	36	37	8
Oats	1	3	23	65	8		1	3	24	65	7		1	5	21	62	11
Barley	-	1	24	58	17		NA	NA	NA	NA	NA		-	3	33	53	11
Rice	3	5	32	42	18		3	6	34	40	17		1	5	28	50	16

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