U.S. farmers have made significant strides in planting and crop development, with corn and soybean progress notably ahead of their five-year averages as of May 18, 2025, according to the latest Crop Progress report from the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The report also highlighted upcoming changes to NASS's state-specific publications and important surveys scheduled for June.
For the week ending May 18, 2025, progress for key crops in the major producing states includes:
- Corn: 78% planted, compared to 62% last week and the 2020-2024 average of 73%. Corn emerged reached 50%, up from 28% the previous week and ahead of the 40% five-year average.
- Soybeans: 66% planted, an increase from 48% last week and significantly above the 53% five-year average. Soybean emergence was at 34%, compared to 17% the prior week and the 23% five-year average.
- Winter Wheat: 64% of the crop was headed, surpassing last week's 53% and the five-year average of 58%. The condition of the winter wheat crop was rated 52% good to excellent, an improvement from 49% at the same time last year. Specifically, 6% is rated very poor, 12% poor, 30% fair, 44% good, and 8% excellent.
- Spring Wheat: Planting reached 82%, ahead of the 65% five-year average. Emergence stood at 45%, also above the 34% average.
- Oats: 91% planted, compared to an 83% five-year average, with 71% emerged, versus the 65% average. Oat condition was rated 50% good to excellent.
The NASS report also included two special notes of significance for the industry. First, beginning May 30, 2025, NASS will discontinue publications tailored specifically to individual states or regions. However, state-level data will remain accessible in national releases and through NASS's online database, Quick Stats.
Second, NASS announced it will gather crucial information in the first two weeks of June regarding this season's crop production, grain storage supplies, and livestock inventory. The agency emphasized the importance of farmer participation in these surveys, stating, "Your information matters." The results will be published in the Hogs and Pigs report on June 26 and the Acreage and Grain Stocks reports on June 30, providing critical data for industry decision-making.
