USDA Crop Progress Report Summary

Monday night's important crop progress report revealed that planting progress for all three major crops continues to lag.

Just 48% of the corn crop has been planted as of Sunday night, they said. That is well behind the five year average of 71%, but in line with traders expectations. Of the eighteen top producing states, only three, Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska, are ahead of the respective five year averages.

Soybeans are now 14% planted as of Sunday night, pretty much bang in line with expectations, but also well behind the 25% normal pace.

For spring wheat 35% has been planted, compared with 78% normally at this time. North Dakota, easily the largest of the spring wheat producing states, had just 13% of the crop planted, down from 78% last year and the five year average of 74%.

The USDA survey also said that winter wheat conditions fell 1% to 46% good to excellent. The progress report shows 40% of the winter wheat is headed compared to 48% for the five year average.