USDA’s third Crop Progress report of the year started reporting soybean planting progress, and it shows soybean planting is already underway in 10 states. Corn planting has already begun in 13 states, according to USDA, nearly double last week’s total. 

Nationally, USDA reports 3% of the country’s soybean crop is in the ground, the same as this time last year, but two points ahead of the average pace. USDA shows soybean planting is ahead of average in all 10 states that have reported planting so far. 

• Arkansas farmers are 26% complete, up 11 points from last year and 18 points ahead of average.
• Kentucky is 8% planted, two points ahead of 2023 and five points quicker than average.
• Missouri has 8% of its soybeans planted, four points quicker than last year and seven points faster than average. 

Corn planting is 6% complete across the U.S., a point behind last year but also one point ahead of the five-year-average pace.

According to USDA, Missouri is seeing the most progress in the Midwest, with 26% of the crop in the ground as of Sunday, April 14. That’s three points ahead of last year and 16 points ahead of the five-year average. While the pace is quicker than last year, it’s not as quick as 2012 when 39% of the corn crop was planted as of April 15. 

Other corn planting highlights include:

• Illinois is 3% planted, down seven points from 2023 and one point behind average.
• Iowa is 4% planted, one point behind last year and one point behind average.
• 3% of the corn crop is planted in Minnesota, which is three points ahead of last year and average. 

Photos of Planting Progress 

The planting progress story is one of the East versus the West. The East is dealing with saturated soils and too much moisture while parched soils in the West are aiding planting progress. Some farmers in Arkansas and Missouri are even reporting being finished with corn planting already this year, which is a record. 

Stephanie Wilburn commented and said planting is rocking and rolling in central Missouri, but she pointed out they need a shot of rain this week. 

In west-central Illinois, Jonathan Webel says 75% of the soybeans are planted but no corn.

Curt Douglass farms in northeast Missouri, and he says they should finish planting corn in a couple days, which would be a record pace. 

Kylee Geffert posted a photo of corn already emerging in southeast Kansas. 

Matthew Spain says planting is also well underway in western Kentucky. He reports they are already finishing planting corn in his area. 

Planters are just starting to roll in northeast Iowa, which is an area that battled severe drought last summer. Caleb Hamer farms near Hudson, Iowa. He says they are planting both corn and soybeans this week. 

Katie Hess is also in eastern Iowa. She says the shed door is open, the planter is out and spraying is getting done today. 
 

Planting isn’t progressing everywhere. Cool and wet temperatures are also a story for farmers from Minnesota to Ohio. 

“Not putting corn in the ground with 40 degree rain coming in the next couple days. Southern Minnesota,” Randy Anderson commented on Facebook.

“I’ll take our mud in Ohio with 0% planted over your drought with 100% planted on April 15,” Mike Sowers commented. 

“4 inches last week in South Central Illinois and more rain coming tomorrow,” Travis Cooper said.

How is planting progressing in your area? Tell us in AgWeb Crop Comments.