To no one’s surprise, both U.S. corn and soybean plantings are trailing the 5 year average for this date. Corn seedings are 12% behind, while soybeans are lagging, with very few acres planted so far. The ongoing cold and wet weather through much of the Corn Belt this spring, coupled with the historic floods is some portions of the Midwest will continue challenging farmers trying to get their crops seeded.

USDA reported that, as of April 28, 15% of corn acres were planted in the 18 states that accounted for 92% of corn acreage last year. This is at the same level as 2018 on this date. The 5 year average for this date is 27%.

So far, farmers in the 18 states that accounted for 95% of soybean acreage last year, have only seeded 3% of their fields. This is down from 5% for this date in 2018 and the 5 year average of 6%.