WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S. — Corn planting in the 18 major states fell behind its five-year average progress in the latest week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said in its May 19 Crop Progress report. Corn emergence lagged the five-year average more significantly but was well ahead of the previous week, the USDA said.
The USDA said 73% of the corn crop was planted as of May 18 compared with 76% as the average for the date. A week earlier, 59% of the crop was planted, which compared with 58% as the average progress for that date. Last year, 65% of the crop was planted by May 18.

Corn emergence in the latest week was 34% in the 18 major states compared with 18% a week earlier, 17% a year ago and 42% as the five-year average.

In top-producing Iowa, the crop was 84% planted as of May 18 compared with the five-year average of 88%. Illinois’ crop was 84% planted, well ahead of the state’s five-year average of 73%.

Corn futures closed at an 11-week low Monday after a spate of dry weather on the weekend, which was viewed as a further opportunity to make significant planting progress.

The Crop Progress report said hard red winter wheat conditions as of May 18 declined in several states but remained about stable in others. In top-producing Kansas, 12% was rated good to excellent (13% the previous week) 29% fair (31%) and 59% very poor to poor (56%). Oklahoma was rated 5% good (6%), 17% fair (19%) and 78% poor to very poor (75%). Nebraska was rated 40% good to excellent (47%), 32% fair and 28% (21%) very poor to poor.

In several states, ratings were about steady compared with the previous week. Colorado wheat was rated 29% good to excellent, 31% fair (33%) and 40% poor to very poor (38%). Texas was 11% good to excellent, 22% fair (21%) and 67% very poor to poor (68%). In Montana, 64% was rated good to excellent (62%) and 29% fair (31%) and 7% poor to very poor. In South Dakota 59% was rated good to excellent, (64%), 38% fair (33%) and 3% very poor to poor.

Winter wheat heading was 57% in the 18 major winter wheat states compared with 58% as the 2009-13 average, the USDA said.

 33% of the soybean crop in the 18 major states was planted as of May 18, the USDA said, compared with 38% as the five-year average for the date. Soybeans were 9% emerged as of May 18, behind the 11% 2009-13 average.

Spring wheat planting in the six major states remained well behind the five-year average for the date. 49% of the crop was planted, compared with the 68% average for the date, the USDA said. Minnesota, with only 20% planted versus a 72% average for the date, and North Dakota, with 25% planted versus a 55% average, were especially behind because of a cold, wet spring.