Crop Progress – Corn Planting Reaches Halfway Done 

Planting progress improved over the past week as the number of days suitable for field work remained favorable for producers. Fifty one percent of the corn crop is planted, up from 27 percent last week and 11 points over the five-year historical average of 39 percent. Iowa made the most progress during the week, planting another 39 percent of the crop for a second straight week. Iowa has now planted 78 percent of its crop and along with North Carolina, they are the furthest along in planting. Minnesota has planted 36 percent of their crop and is 40 points over their average planting pace. Topsoil moisture is adequate throughout the Midwest and Plains states.  

Soybean planting benefitted from the same weather-related progress that corn did. The planting pace nearly tripled, moving from eight percent planted last week to 23 percent this week and is 12 points over the…