Planting of 2022/23 soybeans remained behind average pace as of Apr. 24 due to a slow start in Illinois and Iowa, which were both just 1 percent planted vs. their five-year averages of 8 percent and 3 percent. Indiana soybean plantings had yet to show any notable progress, compared to the state’s average of 4 percent.

Growers may be prioritizing corn planting, which is also running behind. Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa finally made it on the board with 1 to 2 percent of their estimated corn acreage sown, but a more usual progress rate is between 10 and 20 percent for this time in April. Overall, U.S. corn plantings were at 7 percent vs. the five-year average of 15 percent.

The U.S. spring wheat crop was 13 percent planted, slightly behind average pace because Minnesota has yet to start planting. Washington state remained ahead of average pace, however, at 73 percent planted—15 points ahead of its five-year average.

Winter wheat condition seems to be going from bad to worse: As of Apr. 24, 39 percent of the crop was rated poor to very poor, up from 36 percent at the start of the month, and worse condition even than the 2018/19 crop at this point in the season. About 11 percent of the crop had headed, 8 points behind the five-year.

NOAA is forecasting above-average precipitation across the Grain Belt over the next week and below-average temperatures in the northern portion of the region, which may prevent corn and soybean growers from catching up on planting.

Soybean planting progress by marketing year


Source: USDA
Posted by: Information Services
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