May 23, 2023
U.S. Corn 81% Planted vs. 75% Average, Soy 66% vs. 52% Average
Author: Michael Cordonnier/Soybean & Corn Advisor, Inc.
The weather last week was generally beneficial for planting. The forecast for this week looks generally dry across much of the Corn Belt except for the far western and northwestern Corn Belt. The weather for week number two could also be dryer than normal.
Corn - The 2023 U.S. corn is 81% planted compared to 69% last year and 75% average. This represents an advance of 16% for the week. The corn is 52% emerged compared to 35% last year and 45% average.
The most rapid corn planting is in Missouri where 97% of the corn has been planted (83% average), Iowa 95% (87% average), Tennessee 94% (90% average), Illinois 91% (75% average), and Nebraska 87% (86% average). The slowest corn planting is in North Dakota where 32% of the corn has been planted (50% average), Michigan 60% (56% average), Ohio 66% (52% average), Wisconsin 69% (66% average), and Kansas 71% (75% average).
The corn crop continues to get off to a good start. Even the slow areas are a little ahead of the average planting pace. The state of most concern is North Dakota.
Soybeans - The 2022/23 U.S. soybeans are 66% planted compared to 47% last year and 52% average. This represents an advance of 17% for the week. The soybeans are 36% emerged compared to 19% last year and 24% average.
The most rapid soybean planting is in Illinois where 85% of the soybeans have been planted (58% average), Iowa 84% (66% average), Louisiana 84% (79% average), Arkansas 83% (61% average), and Mississippi 80% (75% average). The slowest soybean planting is in North Dakota where 20% of the soybeans have been planted (33% average), Minnesota 53% (57% average), Kansas 54% (42% average), Wisconsin 55% (49% average), and South Dakota 56% 39% average).
The soybean crop is getting off to an even better start than the corn.
Soil Moisture - Most of the Corn Belt is going to have a generally dry week except for parts of the far western and northwestern Corn Belt. It is too early to get overly concerned about declining soil moisture across the Corn Belt, but it is certainly something to monitor. After a dry week this week, and maybe a dry week next week, many areas would welcome some additional moisture.