USDA released its fourth Crop Progress Report of the 2024 growing season on April 22. Here's a look at the most recent corn, soybean, oat, and wheat numbers.
Corn planting progress
USDA says as of April 21, 12% of the 2024 corn crop has been planted in the top 18 corn-growing states. This is up from 6% the week prior and ahead of the five-year average of 10%.
According to the report, planting has begun in all but three of the top 18 growing states.
Corn has started emerging in seven states. Three percent of the crop is out of the ground. The five-year average for corn emergence at this point in the growing season is 2%.
Soybean planting progress
With progress at 8%, USDA says soybean planting is underway in all but three of the top 18 growing states. This is up from 3% the week prior and ahead of the five-year average of 4%.
Oat crop progress
USDA says across all nine of the top oat-growing states, 51% of the crop has been planted, up from 43% the week prior and ahead of the five-year average of 42%.
Thirty-five percent of the crop has emerged, up from 30% the week prior and ahead of the five-year average of 28%.
Winter wheat progress
Winter wheat has headed in eight of the top 18 growing states. This represents 17% of the crop, up from 11% the week prior and ahead of the five-year average of 13%.
According to the report, the condition of the winter wheat crop in the top growing states currently rates as follows:
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This week
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Last week
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Good/excellent
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50%
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55%
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Fair
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34%
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32%
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Poor/very poor
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16%
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13%
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Spring wheat progress
USDA says spring wheat planting progress in the top six growing states is at 15%, up from 7% the week prior and ahead of the five-year average of 10%.
EDITOR’S TAKE:
Overall, it appears planting season is going quite well in most areas, well ahead of the five-year averages. Corn and soybeans are the biggest acreage crops in the U.S. and are off to a good start according to USDA. Assuming Mother Nature doesn’t throw any curve balls going forward, we could experience a bumper crop come this summer and fall. Now would be a great time to plan a post-planting season special on parts and service. The existing trucks will have been put through their paces and ready for a quick refresh. If you have a mobile unit, contact the farmers/ranchers in your area and let them know about your availability!
