According to the USDA’s Crop Progress report released on April 14, 2025, U.S. corn planting is progressing slightly behind the five-year average. As of April 13, 4% of the nation’s corn crop had been planted, compared to 5% for the five-year average and 6% at the same time last year. Texas leads with 63% of its corn acreage planted, while Nebraska has just begun at 1% .
Cool temperatures are helping to limit planting activity along with wet conditions in the Mid-South and southern Midwest. However, temperatures are set to warm up notably Wednesday through Saturday and the NWS 6- to 10-day outlook favors above-normal temperatures across the entire Corn Belt, which should boost planting activity, although above-normal rainfall is also favored. The rainfall is badly needed in the western Corn Belt.
Monday’s USDA report showed the U.S. winter wheat crop rated 47% good to excellent, down one point from the previous week but in line with trade expectations. Meanwhile, the percentage rated poor to very poor declined by two points to 19%. Despite the modest improvement in lower-end ratings, the overall report has done little to support wheat prices. Spring wheat planting progress came in at 7%, offering a neutral tone for the market.
In the Southern Plains, forecasts continue to call for easing dryness, with rain expected to begin later this weekend and persist into the following week. The anticipated moisture should help accelerate winter wheat development in hard red winter wheat-growing regions.
