May 09, 2023
2023 U.S. Corn 49% Planted vs. 42 Average, Soy 35% vs. 21 Average
Author: Michael Cordonnier/Soybean & Corn Advisor, Inc.
Weather - The weather last week was generally beneficial for planting, especially in the western Corn Belt. Rain over the weekend favored the northern, central, and southeastern Midwest. Rainfall this week should favor the northern plains and much of the Midwest with seasonal to above seasonal temperatures especially in the western Corn Belt.
Corn Planting - The 2023 U.S. corn is 49% planted compared to 21% last year and 42% average. This represents an advance of 23% for the week. The corn is 12% emerged compared to 5% last year and 11% average.
The states with the most advanced corn planting include Missouri where 92% of the corn has been planted (56% average), Illinois 73% (46% average), Iowa 70% (53% average), and Nebraska 56% (51% average). The slowest states include North Dakota at 1% (11% average), Michigan 6% (18% average), Ohio 11% (17% average), and Wisconsin 14% (29% average).
Corn planting continues at a rapid pace, but the corn emergence is only slightly ahead of average. The growing season starts when the corn emerges, so I would categorize the corn planting season thus far as a little better than average.
Soybeans Planting - The 2023 U.S. soybeans are 35% planted compared to 11% last year and 21% average. This represents an advance of 16% for the week. The soybeans are 9% emerged compared to 3% last year and 4% average.
The states with the most advanced soybean planting include Louisiana where 71% of the soybeans have been planted (56% average), Illinois 66% (28% average), Mississippi 62% (51% average), Arkansas 58% (34% average), Missouri 50% (12% average), and Iowa 49% 30% average). The slowest states include North Dakota at 0% (4% average), South Dakota 10% (10% average), Wisconsin 11% (14% average), and Minnesota 13% (21% average).
The soybean planting and emergence is outpacing the corn and I would categorize the soybean planting season thus far as better than average.
Soil Moisture - Before the weekend rains, there were regions of the western Corn Belt that needed a shower, specifically parts of Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, South Dakota, Missouri, and northwest Illinois. Some of those areas received rain over the weekend but more will be needed to end the dryness. It is only May 8th, so it is too early to be concerned about dryness, but it is just something to keep in the back of our minds.