North Platte, NEB – Farmers across the Midwest and Plains continued an aggressive planting pace last week, with corn and soybean progress in many states running ahead of historical averages despite pockets of dry conditions and uneven moisture concerns, according to the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture Crop Progress Report released Tuesday.
Corn planting remained near the finish line in several major producing states. Iowa farmers had 92% of the corn crop planted by May 24, while Nebraska reached 91% and Minnesota climbed to 95%. Kansas producers were at 79%, South Dakota at 87% and North Dakota at 62%. Illinois growers reported 76% planted and Missouri farmers were at 89%.
Corn emergence also continued to move rapidly. Missouri led the region at 75% emerged, followed closely by Nebraska at 64%, Iowa at 58% and Illinois at 51%. Minnesota reached 58%, while South Dakota stood at 45% and North Dakota at 23%.
Soybean planting also surged ahead across much of the Corn Belt. Iowa reached 82% planted, Minnesota 90%, Nebraska 82% and Missouri 85%. Illinois farmers had 75% planted, while Kansas reached 56%, South Dakota 58% and North Dakota 45%.
Soybean emergence was especially strong in Missouri at 47%, with Nebraska at 47%, Iowa at 46%, Illinois at 42% and Minnesota at 35%. South Dakota reached 29% emerged, while North Dakota was at 9%.
Winter wheat development continued advancing across the central Plains. Kansas had 84% of its winter wheat crop headed by May 24, while Missouri reached 93%, Illinois 84% and Nebraska 38%. South Dakota remained behind at 1% headed.
Crop condition ratings for winter wheat showed continued stress in some drought-affected areas. In Kansas, 45% of the crop was rated good to excellent, while Nebraska reported just 12% in good to excellent condition and 82% rated fair to very poor. South Dakota’s crop was rated 34% good to excellent.
Spring wheat planting was nearly complete across the Northern Plains. Minnesota reached 80% planted, South Dakota 98% and North Dakota 71%. Emergence numbers showed Minnesota at 60%, South Dakota at 81% and North Dakota at 38%.
Sunflower planting picked up momentum in the Dakotas and central Plains. North Dakota producers had planted 23% of the crop by May 24, while South Dakota reached 12% and Kansas stood at 11%.
Potato data was not included in this week’s national Crop Progress report.
Fieldwork conditions remained favorable in much of the region. USDA reported farmers had an average of 6.2 days suitable for fieldwork in Nebraska, 5.7 days in Kansas, 5.2 days in Iowa and 5.0 days in Illinois during the week ending May 24.
Moisture conditions, however, remained mixed. Nebraska reported 69% of topsoil moisture as adequate and 1% surplus, while Kansas showed 40% adequate moisture with 38% rated short to very short. North Dakota reported 70% adequate topsoil moisture, and South Dakota came in at 64% adequate.