USDA Weekly Crop Progress

By Anthony Greder
DTN Managing Editor
and
Russ Quinn
DTN Staff Reporter

OMAHA (DTN) -- After debuting last week at a pace equal to the five-year average, U.S. corn planting progress fell behind normal in USDA's weekly Crop Progress report released Monday afternoon. USDA estimated 6% of the nation's corn crop was planted as of Sunday, behind last year's pace of 12% and also behind the five-year average pace of 9%.

The delay in planting was due to frequent and widespread showers across the Corn Belt last week, DTN Senior Ag Meteorologist Bryce Anderson explained in an Ag Weather Forum blog (http://bit.ly/…).

USDA's estimate for corn planting progress is moderately bullish for the corn market, said DTN Analyst Todd Hultman.

USDA also reported that 19% of U.S. winter wheat was headed as of Sunday, April 16, up from 11% a year ago and also up from the five-year average of 13% headed.

"Fifty-four percent of the winter wheat crop was rated good to excellent, resulting in a DTN Winter Wheat Condition Index of 133, up 2 points from a week ago," Hultman said. "The index is down from 146 a year ago, but above the five-year average of 106. Monday's report is bearish for winter wheat."

Meanwhile, spring wheat planting was reported at 13% complete as of Sunday, down from last year's 25% and also below the five-year average of 21% planted.

"Monday's report is slightly bullish for spring wheat," Hultman said.

In other crop reports, sorghum was 21% planted, compared to 16% last year and a 20% five-year average. Cotton planting was 8% complete, compared to 7% last year and a 9% average. Rice was 55% planted, compared to 46% last year and a 37% average. Twenty-five percent of rice was emerged.

Oats were 45% planted as of April 16, compared to 53% last year and a 52% average. Emergence was at 29%, compared to 29% last year and a 35% average.

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

Spring fieldwork advanced last week with drier conditions throughout the state. Counties where temperatures were warmer with high winds saw a decline in soil moisture. Days suitable for fieldwork was 6.3 days, up from 4.6 days the previous week. Topsoil moisture is 4% very short, 19% short, 73% adequate and 4% surplus. Subsoil moisture is 7% very short, 29% short, 63% adequate and 1% surplus. Barley planted is 38% with 36% the five-year average. Corn planted is 1%, which is also the five-year average. Spring wheat planted is 19% with the five-year average at 27%. Winter wheat pastured is 12%. Winter wheat jointed is 18% with 20% being the five-year average. Winter wheat crop condition is 23% very poor to poor, 36% fair and 41% good to excellent.

Illinois

There were 2.8 days suitable for fieldwork last week. Statewide, the average temperature was 61.2 degrees, 10.0 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 0.85 inch, 0.24 inch below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated at 4% short, 77% adequate, and 19% surplus. Subsoil moisture supply was rated at 7% short, 81% adequate and 12% surplus. Corn planted was at 6%, compared to the five-year average of 13%. Winter wheat headed reached 3%. Winter wheat condition was rated 2% very poor, 4% poor, 20% fair, 60% good and 14% excellent. Oats planted reached 57%. Oats condition was rated 3% poor, 22% fair, 66% good and 9% excellent.

Indiana

Warmer weather improved field conditions in Indiana last week. The week started with some storms and hail. However, strong winds and decreased rainfall helped dry field surfaces to allow farmers to begin field preparation for planting spring crops. Average temperatures were 61.1 degrees, 10.7 degrees above normal for the state. The amounts of rainfall varied from zero to 1.67 inches over the week. The U.S. Drought Monitor reported abnormally dry conditions in Southern Indiana, mainly north and south of Interstate 64. There were 3.2 days available for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture is 1% very poor, 5% short, 68% adequate and 26% surplus. Subsoil moisture is 1% very poor, 6% short, 73% adequate and 20% surplus. Corn planted is 4% with a five-year average of 6%. Wheat jointing is 36%. Wheat headed is 3% with 2% being the five-year average. Winter wheat crop condition is 4% very poor to poor, 25% fair and 71% good to excellent.

Iowa

Rain continued to be an issue for Iowa farmers with just 3.0 days suitable for fieldwork statewide last week. Corn planting has been limited as producers have been patiently waiting for warmer and drier soil conditions. Other field activities included CRP burning; anhydrous, manure, and fertilizer applications; and field cultivation where conditions allowed. Topsoil moisture levels rated 0% very short, 1% short, 74% adequate and 25% surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 1% very short, 3% short, 76% adequate and 20% surplus. Southeast Iowa continues to have the lowest subsoil moisture levels with 30% rated short to very short. Two percent of the state's expected corn acreage has been planted, five days behind the previous year and three days behind the five-year average. Forty-two percent of the oat crop has been planted, four days behind average, with 10% emerged. Northwest, west-central and central Iowa farmers have planted over half their expected oat acreage.

Kansas

Temperatures were 6 to 10 degrees above normal last week. Central and eastern counties continued to receive rainfall, while most western counties remained dry. The additional rainfall aided pasture and wheat development, but continued to delay corn planting in many areas. Powdery mildew and stripe rust have been identified in some wheat fields. There were 4.0 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture rated 4% very short, 13% short, 70% adequate and 13% surplus. Subsoil moisture rated 5% very short, 20% short, 70% adequate and 5% surplus. Winter wheat condition rated 4% very poor, 12% poor, 33% fair, 45% good and 6% excellent. Winter wheat jointed was 65%, behind 75% last year, but ahead of the five-year average of 58%. Headed was 9%, ahead of 3% last year, and near 6% average. Corn planted was 9%, well behind 32% last year, and behind 18% average

Michigan

There were 1.8 days suitable for fieldwork in Michigan last week. For many in the state, persistent heavy rainfall kept producers out of their fields last week, as most ground was still too wet for planting or tillage equipment. Topsoil moisture is 0% very short, 0% short, 44% adequate and 56% surplus. Subsoil moisture is 0% very short, 1% short, 49% adequate and 50% surplus. Winter wheat jointing is 4% with the five-year average 2%. Winter wheat crop condition is 12% very to poor, 24% fair and 64% good to excellent. Oat planting is 7% with 19% being the five-year average.

Minnesota

Persistent damp conditions and cool temperatures allowed for only 2.7 days suitable for field work last week. Field activities for the week included rock-picking, fertilizer application, and tilling fields. Small grain planting was most active in the southern two-thirds of the state. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 0% very short, 3% short, 79% adequate and 18% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 0% very short, 3% short, 78% adequate and 19% surplus. Nine percent of Minnesota's spring wheat was planted, four days behind last year and one week behind the five-year average. The oat planting progress advanced 10 percentage points to 17% planted. This is four days behind last year and five days behind average. There were scattered reports of corn planting in southern Minnesota.

Missouri

Temperatures last week averaged 63.7 degrees, 9.4 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 0.32 inch statewide, 0.75 inch below normal. There were 4.4 days suitable for fieldwork. Statewide, topsoil moisture supply was rated 2% very short, 12% short, 72% adequate and 14% surplus. Subsoil moisture supply was rated 5% very short, 18% short, 68% adequate and 9% surplus. Corn planting was 17% complete, 36 percentage points behind the previous year and 8 percentage points behind the five-year average. Corn emerged progressed to 1%. Cotton planting was 5% complete. Rice planting progressed to 36% complete. Sorghum planting progressed to 8%. Winter wheat headed reached 23%. Winter wheat condition was rated 66% good to excellent. Spring tillage was 51% complete compared to 45% for the five-year average.

Nebraska

Temperatures averaged 4 to 6 degrees above normal across the state last week. Rainfall of an inch or more was limited to portions of the eastern half of the state. Dry soil moisture conditions continued in southwestern Nebraska. The first fields of corn were planted; however, fieldwork in most areas was limited to spring tillage and fertilizer application. There were 4.8 days suitable for fieldwork. Statewide, topsoil moisture supplies were rated 5% very short, 18% short, 74% adequate and 3% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 7% very short, 23% short, 68% adequate and 2% surplus. Corn planted was 3%, near 6% last year, and equal to the five-year average. Winter wheat condition was rated 53% good to excellent. Winter wheat jointed was 7%, behind 17% last year and 13% average. Oats planted was 70%, ahead of 66% average, and oats emerged was 26%, ahead of 22% average.

North Dakota

Warm, windy conditions helped dry out soils and allowed for more fieldwork and planting to be done last week. The exception was the northern part of the state where large amounts of snow were received this winter and muddy soils still exist. Some isolated areas in the northeast were still experiencing some flooding. Temperatures for the week averaged 2 to 6 degrees above normal. Reports indicated that, on average, producers intended to begin fieldwork on April 20. There were 3.6 days suitable for fieldwork. Statewide, topsoil moisture supplies were rated 1% very short, 6% short, 71% adequate and 22% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 2% very short, 7% short, 74% adequate and 17% surplus. Winter wheat condition was rated 77% good to excellent. Winter wheat jointing was 2%, near 1% last year. Spring wheat planted was 6%, behind 13% last year and 11% for the five-year average. Spring wheat emerged was 1%, equal to average. Durum wheat planted was 1%, behind 5% average. Barley planted was 2%, behind 7% average. Canola planted was 1%. Oats planted was 2%, behind 10% average.

Ohio

Warmer temperatures last week helped to dry out some soils and created more fieldwork opportunities. Farmers were able to top-dress wheat, apply herbicides and till fields where moisture surpluses had receded. Planting was very limited. Producers anticipate much more progress with corn and other crops if the warm, dry conditions continue. Statewide, topsoil moisture was rated 1% short, 60% adequate and 39% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 2% short, 68% adequate and 30% surplus. Winter wheat jointing reached 16%, slightly behind the average pace of 19%. Winter wheat condition was rated 80% good to excellent. Oats were 21% planted and 11% emerged.

Oklahoma

The state received light-to-moderate precipitation last week, with areas of the northeast and southwest districts averaging more than 1.58 inches. Central Oklahoma and the southeast district averaged nearly 1.24 inches of rainfall, while the rest of the state recorded less than an inch. According to the OCS Mesonet, drought conditions were intensifying due to minimal rainfall. Severe conditions were rated 13.65% and mostly appeared across the eastern half of the state. Statewide, topsoil moisture was rated 8% very short, 21% short, 66% adequate and 5% surplus. Subsoil moisture conditions were rated 11% very short, 28% short, 59% adequate and 2% surplus. Winter wheat jointing reached 92% and headed reached 40%, up 15 points from normal. Ninety-one percent of canola reached the blooming stage, up 22 points from normal. Rye headed reached 40%. Oats jointing reached 56%, up 20 points from normal. Sorghum planted reached 9%, up 4 points from normal. Twenty-eight percent of corn was planted, down 5 points from normal.

South Dakota

Winter made a brief return to portions of South Dakota early last week. Snow, sleet and freezing rain prompted winter weather advisories in central and eastern counties on Monday. Small grain planting progressed during the week as precipitation amounts were relatively light for most locations and temperatures warmed considerably toward week's end. There were 4.5 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 3% very short, 13% short, 81% adequate and 3% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 2% very short, 18% short, 79% adequate and 1% surplus. Winter wheat condition was rated 53% good to excellent. Spring wheat planted was 52%, ahead of 44% for the five-year average, and emerged was 11%, near 12% average. Oats planted was 48%, near 46% average, and emerged was 10%, near 13% average. Barley planted was 19%, near 23% average, and emerged was 1%.

Texas

Thunderstorms were reported across many parts of the state last week. Most areas of the state had rain, but the heaviest amounts were experienced in the Blacklands, northeast Texas and south-central Texas, where precipitation ranged from a tenth of an inch to upwards of 5 inches. Some areas flooded in the Blacklands. Hail damage was reported in the Northern High Plains and wind damage was reported in the Southern High Plains. Statewide, topsoil moisture was rated 5% very short, 24% short, 62% adequate and 9% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 4% very short, 25% short, 62% adequate and 9% surplus. Corn was 60% planted, ahead of the five-year average of 54%, and 56% of the crop was emerged, ahead of the average of 42%. Cotton was 11% planted, equal to average. Rice was 65% planted and 48% emerged. Sorghum was 58% planted, ahead of the average pace of 51%, and 16% was emerged. Soybeans were 8% planted, well behind the average of 23%. Winter wheat was 51% headed, well ahead of the average of 35%. Winter wheat condition was rated 42% good to excellent. Cases of wheat streak mosaic virus were noted in the Northern High Plains. Leaf rust was also found in fields of the High Plains and the Blacklands. Oats were 60% headed, ahead of the average of 48%.

Wisconsin

Though above-normal temperatures started to warm up soils, frequent rains and thunderstorms prevented fieldwork in much of the state last week. Reporters commented that it will take time for mud and standing water to dry up enough for fieldwork to begin in earnest. Some spring tillage, manure spreading, potato planting and small grains planting were reported, mostly on light soils. Farmers were still in the process of assessing freeze damage to alfalfa and winter wheat fields. Statewide, topsoil moisture supplies were rated 1% short, 60% adequate and 39% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 1% short, 66% adequate and 33% surplus. Oats planting was reported as 12% complete, 2 percentage points behind last year, and 4 percentage points behind the five-year average. Two percent of the oat crop has emerged. Winter wheat was 60% in good-to-excellent condition statewide, up slightly from last week.

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National Crop Progress Summary
	This	Last	Last	5-Year
	Week	Week	Year	Avg.
Corn Planted	6	3	12	9
Winter Wheat Headed	19	9	11	13
Spring Wheat Planted	13	5	25	21
Cotton Planted	8	6	7	9
Sorghum Planted	21	18	16	20
Oats Planted	45	33	53	52
Oats Emerged	29	26	29	35
Barley Planted	13	9	31	28
Rice Planted	55	31	46	37
Rice Emerged	25	13	18	17

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	3	10	33	46	8	3	10	34	46	7	2	7	34	48	9

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