The U.S. Department of Agriculture's latest Crop Progress report shows corn and soybean crops are developing well, with emergence rates ahead of the five-year average in many states.
As of June 22, 97% of corn had emerged across the 18 states that accounted for 92% of the 2024 corn acreage. This is slightly ahead of the five-year average of 96%. Corn condition was rated 70% good to excellent, comparable to 69% at the same time last year.
Soybean planting is nearly complete, with 96% of the crop in the ground in the 18 major producing states, matching the five-year average. Emergence reached 90%, on par with the average. Soybean condition was rated 66% good to excellent, slightly lower than last year's 67%.
The winter wheat harvest is progressing, with 19% of the crop harvested in the 18 major producing states, behind the five-year average of 28%. However, crop condition improved slightly, with 49% rated good to excellent compared to 47% the previous week.
Cotton planting is 95% complete in the 15 major producing states, in line with the five-year average. The crop's condition was rated 47% good to excellent, down from 56% last year.
Sorghum planting reached 84% completion in the six primary states, slightly behind the five-year average of 87%.
Pasture and rangeland conditions varied widely across the country, with 43% rated good to excellent nationally, down from 47% last year. Drought conditions persist in some areas, particularly in western states.
The report also noted significant regional variations in topsoil moisture levels, with 23% of cropland experiencing short to very short moisture conditions, while 13% had surplus moisture.
