Apr 30, 2024
U.S. Corn 27% Planted vs. 22% Average, Soy 18% vs. 10% Average
Author: Michael Cordonnier/Soybean & Corn Advisor, Inc.
U.S. corn was 27% planted as of Sunday compared to 23% last year and 22% average. This represents an advance of 15% for the week. Corn emergence was 7% compared to 5% last year and 4% average. U.S. soybeans were 18% planted compared to 16% last year and 10% average. This represents an advance of 10% for the week.
The corn planting pace is more advanced in the western Corn Belt and slower in the eastern Corn Belt. In the western areas, corn planting is 23-12-11-10% ahead of average with Missouri 63% planted (40% average), Minnesota 30% (18% average), Iowa 39% (28% average), and Kansas 39% (29% average). In the eastern Corn Belt, the corn planting is average or slightly behind the average pace.
Soybean planting is further ahead compared to corn. In the western Corn Belt, it is 15-13-9% ahead of average, while the eastern Corn Belt is 8-7-1% ahead of average. This reflects the recent trend where some U.S. farmers plant their soybeans ahead of corn.
Rainfall over the weekend favored the central U.S. from the Delta to the northern Midwest. The wet weather ended most of the dryness across the western Midwest. Rainfall is expected once again this week across much of the Midwest and Delta, which will slow planting progress. Temperatures this week will be warm across most of the Midwest.
The wet weather forecasted for this week could keep farmers out of the fields in many areas, but planting is well advanced and any temporary planting delays should not be a major concern as long as dryer weather returns after the 6-10 day period.