May 04, 2021
2021 U.S. Corn 46% Planted (36% avg.), Soybeans 24% (11% avg.)
Author: Michael Cordonnier/Soybean & Corn Advisor, Inc.
Dryer conditions allowed for a very rapid corn planting pace last week with 29% of the intended corn acres planted in one week.
Corn - The 2021 U.S. corn is 46% plated compared to 48% last year and 36% average. This represents an advance of 29% for the week. The corn emergence is 8% compared to 7% last year and 9% average.
Good planting progress was made across the entire Corn Belt with all the major states ahead of average in their corn planting. Iowa is 69% planted (45% average) and Minnesota is 60% planted (32% average). Both of these states are now ahead of Illinois at 54% planted (49% average).
Soybeans - The 2021 U.S. soybeans are 24% planted compared to 21% last year and 11% average. This represents an advance of 16% for the week. Iowa leads the way in soybean planting with 43% planted (14% average), with Illinois 41% planted (14% average), and Minnesota 23% planted (9% average). Probably the most impressive progress was in Michigan where 27% of the soybeans have been planted compared to 4% average.
Soil Moisture - Now that the calendar has turned to May, the soil moisture situation becomes more important. The driest soils are concentrated in the northwestern Corn Belt with North Dakota rated 93% severe drought and 82% extreme drought. South Dakota is rated 35% severe drought and 19% extreme. Iowa is rated 74% abnormally dry and 19% moderate drought.
The topsoil moisture in North Dakota is rated 83% short/very short this week with South Dakota rated 67% short/very short and Iowa rated 55% short/very short.