U.S. corn and soybean planting advanced over the past week. Some key growing areas did see more rainfall last week, but past the short-term planting delays, that’s expected to be beneficial for long-term development.
The USDA says 40% of U.S. corn is planted, compared to the five-year average of 39%, with 11% emerged, compared to 9% on average.
30% of soybeans are planted, compared to the usual rate of 23%, and 7% has emerged, compared to 5% on average.
Widespread rainfall also brought some benefits for winter wheat.
51% of the U.S. winter wheat crop is now rated good to excellent, 2% above a week ago and 1% more than a year ago, with 39% headed, compared to 33% on average.
44% of spring wheat is planted and 13% has emerged, both ahead of their normal paces.
21% of cotton is planted, compared to 20% most years in early May.
73% of rice is planted and 54% has emerged, faster than the respective typical tempos.
83% of sorghum is planted, compared to 54% on average.
35% of pastures and rangelands are rated good to excellent, compared to 46% in the first 2024 report.
The USDA’s weekly national crop progress and condition numbers run through the end of November.
EDITOR’S TAKE:
Although heavy rains in parts of the Midwest have slowed progress temporarily, planting and crop development are still progressing rather well overall. Getting the crops planted is only the first step in producing the fall harvest, Mother Nature still has a lot to say about the end result before the crops are harvested. Farmers/ranchers are equipped to plant a crop very quickly when weather delays happen during the spring. That is where all that expensive equipment comes in handy!
Speaking of being prepared, can you think of innovative ways to help keep those farmers/ranchers running during one of their busiest times of the year? Mobile parts and service perhaps? What about supply contracts to keep their shop equipped with the parts for maintaining those trucks in tip-top shape? Or how about delivering them a lunch when they don’t have time to go get it themselves?
