By Mark Milam
Assisted by more favourable weather conditions US farmers are advancing their spring efforts with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) weekly crop progress report stating that 26% of the estimated corn crop has now been planted, with soybeans at 19% sowed.
The current pace of the corn crop is ahead of the 13% achieved last season but is equal to the five-year average, with 6% of the crop emerged.
Missouri is currently the leading state with 80% of its acreage completed followed by Texas at 74% and North Carolina at 70%.
For soybeans the crop is 19% completed, which is above the 7% rate achieved in 2022 and the five-year average of 11%.
Louisiana is the leading state with 59% of the crop done followed by Arkansas and Mississippi at 43%.