(FARGO, ND)– The latest USDA Crop Progress Report reflected a deteriorating winter wheat crop in parts of the country but also showed good planting conditions for row crops and spring wheat.
Winter wheat condition fell five percentage points to now stand at 50% good to excellent as of Sunday, April 21st with 16% of the crop rated poor to very poor. The crop in Kansas, where many reports of dry conditions are being heard, was 36% good to excellent and 26% poor to very poor. Illinois’ crop was rated at 83% good to excellent.
Corn planting nationwide advanced to 12% complete as of Sunday, up 6% from last week. Texas led the way at 68% planted with Missouri at 47% complete, Iowa at 13% and Illinois at 11% done as of Sunday. We also saw 3% of the corn crop emerged as of Sunday. Corn planting progress was equal to last year’s pace and slightly ahead of the five year average.
Soybeans were 8% planted as of Sunday with southern states leading the way. Louisiana was 42% complete and Mississippi was 28% complete while Illinois and Iowa were 11% and 8% complete as of Sunday. Planting pace was equal to last year at this time.
Spring wheat planting jumped to 15% complete as of Sunday with states in the Pacific Northwest leading much of the progress. Washington state is 60% planted, Idaho at 55% and then South Dakota at 40% planted as of Sunday. Minnesota was 18% planted and North Dakota was just 7% planted. Nationwide, spring wheat planting was 11 points ahead of last year and five points ahead of the five year average for this time of year.
