USDA Weekly Crop Progress

OMAHA (DTN) -- Planting and emergence were running close to the average pace for both corn and soybeans last week, while winter wheat conditions saw a slight boost from the previous week, according to USDA's weekly Crop Progress report released Monday.

USDA estimated 84% of U.S. corn was planted as of Sunday, May 21, even with a year ago but slightly above the five-year average of 85%. USDA also said 54% of U.S. corn was emerged, down from 58% a year ago and down slightly from the five-year average of 55% emerged. Monday's report is neutral for corn, said DTN Analyst Todd Hultman.

Soybean planting was estimated at 53% complete, even with a year ago and slightly above the five-year average of 52%. USDA said 19% of U.S. soybeans were emerged, down slightly from 20% a year ago and down from the five-year average of 21%. "Monday's report is neutral for soybeans," Hultman said.

Winter wheat conditions saw a slight boost in Monday's report.

Fifty-two percent of the winter wheat crop was rated in good-to-excellent condition, resulting in a DTN Winter Wheat Condition Index of 126, up 6 points from a week ago. DTN's index is down from 156 a year ago, but above the five-year average of 92. "Monday's crop ratings are slightly bearish for winter wheat," Hultman said.

USDA reported that 72% of winter wheat is headed, down from 74% a year ago, but up from the five-year average of 67%.

Meanwhile, U.S. spring wheat planting reached 90% complete as of Sunday, down from last year's 94%, but above the five-year average of 84% planted. Sixty-two percent of spring wheat was emerged, down from 75% a year ago but up from the five-year average of 59%. "Monday's report is neutral for spring wheat," Hultman said.

In other crop reports, cotton was 52% planted, compared to 45% last year and 50% average. Rice was 91% planted and 78% emerged, compared to 92% and 82% last year and 90% and 76% on average.

Sorghum was 37% planted, slightly behind the five-year average of 41%. Barley was 88% planted and 59% emerged, compared to 93% and 78% last year and 87% and 64% on average. Oats were 95% planted, 83% emerged and 26% headed, compared to 97%, 89% and 25% last year and 93%, 81% and 28% on 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

Rain and snow across the state halted fieldwork midweek. Several localities received several inches of rain, with areas at higher elevation receiving moderate to heavy snow. Precipitation continues to improve dryland crop and pasture conditions, as well as soil moisture. In northeast counties, reporters noted that wheat mosaic virus has spread and some wheat is damaged beyond recovery. Isolated severe weather and damaging hail was also reported. A reporter noted that some sugarbeets are being replanted due to a previous damaging freeze. Concern over increased wheat stripe rust infection due to wet conditions was noted in east-central counties. In southwest counties, freezing temperatures were experienced that may have caused damage to wheat. The San Luis Valley also received late snow and freezing temperatures that damaged some growing alfalfa. Barley planting is nearing completion in the San Luis Valley. Topsoil moisture: 0% very short, 3% short, 86% adequate, 11% surplus. Subsoil moisture: 0% very short, 8% short, 89% adequate, 3% surplus.

Illinois

Producers continued planting soybeans last week while some began replanting corn. There were 4.0 days suitable for fieldwork last week. Statewide, the average temperature was 67.7 degrees, 3.1 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 1.61 inches, 0.73 inch above normal. Topsoil moisture 1% short, 64% adequate and 35% surplus. Subsoil moisture: 1% short, 71% adequate and 28% surplus.

Indiana

Farmers received a short break from the rain, and were able to make significant progress with corn and soybean plantings. Warm temperatures and high winds dried out fields, allowing farmers access to plant and replant fields. The break in weather was short-lived, as the rain returned later in the week leaving fields saturated in some areas. The statewide average temperature was 69.7 degrees, 6.0 degrees above normal. Statewide precipitation was 1.40 inches, above average by 0.49 inch. There were 4.0 days available for fieldwork last week, up 2.2 days from the previous week. Farmers rushed to the fields to get corn and soybeans planted, and in many cases, replanted before the rains returned. The high winds that swept across the state did bring some damage to emerged cornfields, although it does not appear to be widespread. Many farmers were not able to spray due to the high winds. There were some reports of cutworms in cornfields. Topsoil moisture: 0% very short, 1% short, 53% adequate and 46% surplus. Subsoil moisture: 0% very short, 1% short, 61% adequate and 38% surplus.

Iowa

Iowa farmers had only 2.3 days suitable for fieldwork last week. Those few days came early in the week as rain throughout the rest of the week made conditions too wet for planters to enter the fields. Topsoil moisture: 0% very short, 0% short, 65% adequate and 35% surplus. Subsoil moisture: 0% very short, 1% short, 71% adequate and 28% surplus. Corn planting is three days behind last year but two days ahead of the five-year average. Corn emerged reached 59%, four days behind last year. Soybean planting is two days behind last year but one day ahead of average. Soybean emergence is one day behind average. Oat emergence is two days ahead of average.

Kansas

Temperatures in the western half of the state averaged 2 to 4 degrees below normal last week, while temperatures in the east averaged 2 to 4 degrees above normal. Rainfall continued across the entire state, with totals exceeding 1 inch in most areas. There were 2.9 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture: 0% very short, 1% short, 70% adequate and 29% surplus. Subsoil moisture: 0% very short, 2% short, 82% adequate and 16% surplus.

Michigan

There were 5.1 days suitable for fieldwork last week. The week began with warm, dry conditions which allowed producers to make good planting progress. Cool, wet conditions returned by the end of the week halting fieldwork, although the moisture was welcomed in some areas. Despite the cool mornings and variable weather, producers made good progress planting row crops last week. Both the corn and soybean planting progress surpassed last year's pace. The nice weather allowed oat seeding to advance, but progress lagged behind last year and the five-year average. High winds midweek limited spraying operations and caused some damage to sugarbeets and other emerged crops. Winter wheat development had just started to progress into the heading stage in some areas. The crop remained in good condition. There were no major disease or insect problems reported. Many producers experienced good fieldwork conditions a majority of the week until late week rains left some fields inaccessible. Topsoil moisture: 0% very short, 4% short, 73% adequate and 23% surplus. Subsoil moisture: 0% very short, 3% short, 70% adequate and 27% surplus.

Minnesota

Cool temperatures and precipitation limited farmers to only 2.5 days suitable for fieldwork last week. When conditions allowed, field activities involved planting and spraying. Topsoil moisture: 0% very short, 1% short, 72% adequate and 27% surplus. Subsoil moisture: 0% very short, 1% short, 79% adequate and 20% surplus. Spring wheat emergence was eight days ahead of the five-year average. Oat emergence is 12 days behind last year. Oats jointing is one day ahead of last year. Soybean planting was four days behind last year, yet ahead of average.

Missouri

Warm weather and above-average precipitation were prevalent across the state last week. Temperatures averaged 68.7 degrees, 3.0 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 2.09 inches statewide, 1.07 inches above normal. There were 4.0 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 3% short, 70% adequate and 27% surplus. Subsoil moisture supply was rated 3% short, 74% adequate and 23% surplus. Corn planting was 93% complete, 4 percentage points behind the previous year but 3 percentage points ahead of the five-year average. Corn emerged progressed to 79%. Corn condition was rated 52% good to excellent. Soybean planting was 42% complete. Soybean emerged progressed to 20%. Cotton planting was 68% complete. Rice planting progressed to 92% complete. Rice emerged progressed to 81%. Rice condition was 68% good to excellent. Sorghum planting was 30% complete. Winter wheat headed reached 97%. Winter wheat condition was rated 61% good to excellent.

Nebraska

Temperatures averaged 3 to 5 degrees below normal across the state last week. Significant rainfall of 2 inches or more was recorded across the majority of counties; however, rainfall totals of 3 inches or more was recorded across the southeast. Producers made planting progress during the early part of the week, but wet conditions kept farmers out of the field for the remainder of the week. There were 2.1 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 5% short, 74% adequate and 21% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 1% very short, 6% short, 80% adequate and 13% surplus. Corn planted was 87%, near 91% for the five-year average, and emerged was 52%, behind 57% average. Soybeans planted was 52%, behind 61% average, and emerged was 13%, behind 21% average. Winter wheat jointed was 99%, ahead of 86% average, and headed was 61%, ahead of 36% average. Winter wheat condition was rated 45% good to excellent. Sorghum planted was 18%, behind 36% average, and emerged was 6%. Oats jointed was 46%, near 43% last year, and headed was 6%, near 4% average. Oats condition was rated 78% good to excellent.

North Dakota

Cooler temperatures prevailed most of the week as they averaged 2 to 6 degrees below normal across most of the state. Planting progress slowed in the eastern third of North Dakota, as rainfall was received. Less rain fell over the western two-thirds of the state, and had a smaller effect on fieldwork activities. There were 5.6 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 3% very short, 21% short, 70% adequate and 6% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 1% very short, 14% short, 78% adequate and 7% surplus. Corn planted was 82%, ahead of 73 for the five-year average, and emerged was 38%, ahead of 31% average. Soybeans planted was 57%, ahead of 49% average, and emerged was 10%, equal to average. Winter wheat jointed was 60% and headed was 6%, near 3% last year. Winter wheat condition was rated 74% good to excellent. Spring wheat planted was 88%, ahead of 75 average, emerged was 56% and jointed was 4%. Barley planted was 89%, emerged was 57% and jointed was 5%. Oats planted was 87%, emerged was 54%, jointed was 9% and headed was 1%. Durum wheat planted was 72%, emerged was 36% and jointed was 10%. Canola planted was 72%, ahead of 63% average, and emerged was 30%, near 32% average.

Ohio

High temperatures at the beginning of the week helped dry out fields for some planting but spotty rains toward the end of the week delayed further planting. There were 4.4 days suitable for fieldwork. Producers were able to plant corn and soybeans before the rain set in but now are experiencing problems with excess moisture. A significant number of fields had to be replanted, and many farmers had to return to fields to handle soil crusting. Statewide, topsoil moisture was rated 2% short, 67% adequate and 31% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 2% short, 65% adequate and 33% surplus. Corn was 73% planted, even with the five-year average, and 41% was emerged, behind the average of 44%. Soybeans were 43% planted, behind the average of 47%, and 17% were emerged, near the average of 18%. Winter wheat was 97% jointing and 81% headed. Winter wheat condition was rated 81% good to excellent. Oats were 96% planted, 85% emerged and 1% headed. Oats condition was rated 65% good to excellent.

Oklahoma

Severe storms produced large tornados, up to softball-size hail, damaging winds and heavy rainfall last week. All districts recorded above-normal precipitation. According to the OCS Mesonet, the panhandle and northeast districts experienced the wettest 60-day period since 1921. Drought condition was rated 7% moderate-to-exceptional drought, up 3 points from last week but does not yet reflect last week's rainfall totals. Statewide, temperatures averaged in the low 80s. Topsoil moisture was rated 1% very short, 3% short, 88% adequate and 8% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 1% very short, 11% short, 86% adequate and 2% surplus. Winter wheat headed reached 98%, up 2 points from normal, and harvested reached 1%, down 4 points from normal. Winter wheat conditions were rated 49% good to excellent. Canola coloring reached 80%, up 17 points from normal, and harvested reached 1%. Oats headed reached 67%. Corn emerged reached 70%, up 2 points from normal. Sorghum planted reached 34%, down 5 points from normal. Soybeans seeded reached 26%, down 5 points from normal, and emerged reached 9%, down 4 points from normal. Cotton planted reached 38%, up 9 points from the previous year and up 10 points from normal.

South Dakota

Cool, wet weather limited fieldwork across parts of South Dakota last week. Daytime high temperatures were 15 to 20 degrees below normal for many locations during the latter half of the reporting period. Rainfall totals varied widely across the state. Some heavier rainfall amounts were located in already saturated areas of the southeast, causing ponding and flooding in planted and to-be-planted fields. There were 3.0 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 5% very short, 24 short, 66 adequate and 5 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 6% very short, 27 short, 64 adequate and 3 surplus. Winter wheat jointed was 56%, well behind 79% last year, and headed was 10%, behind 16% average. Winter wheat condition was rated 54% good to excellent. Spring wheat emerged was 95%, ahead of 76% average, and jointing was 8%, behind 16% last year. Spring wheat condition was rated 44% good to excellent. Oats emerged was 95%, ahead of 81% average, and jointed was 20%, equal to last year. Barley emerged was 94%, well ahead of 65% average. Corn planted was 88%, near 84% average, and emerged was 47%, near 43% average. Soybeans planted was 56%, ahead of 50% average, and emerged was 11%, near 13% average. Sorghum planted was 19%, equal to average, and emerged was 1%.

Texas

Many areas of the state received from 0.5 inch to 2.0 inches of rainfall with isolated reports of up to 5.0 inches of rain. The Trans-Pecos, panhandle and the Lower Valley reported the lowest total precipitation for the week. There were 6.3 days suitable for fieldwork. Statewide, topsoil moisture supplies were rated 10% very short, 36% short, 48% adequate and 6% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 8% very short, 32% short, 56% adequate and 4% surplus. Corn was 87% planted, near the five-year average of 86%, and 76% of the crop was emerged, also near the average of 75%. Twenty percent of corn was silked, equal to the average. Cotton was 42% planted and 8% squaring. Rice was 86% planted and 84% emerged. Sorghum was 82% planted 65% emerged and 35% headed. Soybeans were 85% planted, ahead of the five-year average of 73%, and 74% of soybeans were emerged, also ahead of the average of 60%. Winter wheat was 20% harvested as of Sunday, well ahead of the average pace of 7%. Oats were 45% harvested, also well ahead of the average of 14%.

Wisconsin

Fieldwork was slowed last week as heavy rain and severe thunderstorms lashed the state. Northern Wisconsin was the hardest hit, with reporters noting up to 12 inches of rainfall for the week. Farms in Barron and Rusk Counties were struck by a tornado on Tuesday evening. Flooding, large hail and strong winds also damaged fields, trees and farm buildings around the state. Cold temperatures and standing water had farmers in many areas concerned for recently planted fields. Statewide, topsoil moisture supplies were rated 56% adequate and 44% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 65% adequate and 35% surplus. As of May 21, spring tillage was 81% complete statewide, 11 days behind last year but one day ahead of the five-year average. Corn planting was 65% complete, 10 days behind last year, and three days behind the average. Corn emerged was at 21%, five days behind last year and two days behind the average. Twenty-nine% of the state's expected soybean acres have been planted, eight days behind last year, and four days behind the average. Three percent of the state's soybeans have emerged. Oats planting was reported as 88% complete, eight days behind last year, but one day ahead of the average. Oats emerged was at 61%, seven days behind last year and two days behind the average. Winter wheat was 67% in good-to-excellent condition statewide, compared to 71% the previous week.

National Crop Progress Summary
	This	Last	Last	5-Year
	Week	Week	Year	Avg.
Corn Planted	84	71	84	85
Corn Emerged	54	31	58	55
Soybeans Planted	53	32	53	52
Soybeans Emerged	19	8	20	21
Winter Wheat Headed	72	63	74	67
Spring Wheat Planted	90	78	94	84
Spring Wheat Emerged	62	40	75	59
Cotton Planted	52	33	45	50
Sorghum Planted	37	32	36	41
Oats Planted	95	91	97	93
Oats Emerged	83	72	89	81
Oats Headed	26	NA	25	28
Barley Planted	88	78	93	87
Barley Emerged	59	42	78	64
Rice Planted	91	83	92	90
Rice Emerged	78	73	82	76

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 Wheat	4	11	33	44	8	5	12	32	43	8	1	7	30	51	11
Oats	1	5	31	55	8		2	4	32	55	7		1	3	23	64	9
Rice	5	6	24	49	16		NA	NA	NA	NA	NA		3	6	24	54	13

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