Corn and soybean planting is running well ahead of last year and the 5-year average, according to USDA’s weekly Crop Progress report.

About 71% of U.S. intended corn acreage in 18 major states was planted as of May 6, compared to 32% on the same date last year and 47% for the five-year average. More than 90% of the corn acreage in Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee is already planted this year.

About 32% of the planted corn had emerged by May 6, compared to 6% a year ago and the five-year average of 13%. The 18 surveyed states represent about 92% of U.S. corn acreage.
About 24% of U.S. intended soybean acreage in 18 major states (representing 95% of the U.S. total) was planted as of May 6, compared to 6% on the same date last year and 11% for the five-year average. More than 50% of the soybean acreage in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi is already planted this year.