USDA’s latest crop progress report, out Monday afternoon and covering the week through April 19, showed that despite some recent wet weather in parts of the central U.S., those rains haven’t slowed the nationwide pace of planting so far, with corn and soybeans both pacing their respective prior five-year averages. Winter wheat quality ratings continue to degrade, meantime, spilling noticeably below analyst estimates levied before the report’s release.
Corn plantings moved from 5% completion a week ago up to 11% through Sunday, matching analyst expectations. Texas (65%), Tennessee (64%) and North Carolina (45%) remain out in front among the top 18 production states. This season is off to the same start as 2025 and is two points ahead of the prior five-year average so far. Physiologically, 4% of the crop is now emerged, compared to 2025’s pace of 2% and the prior five-year average of 2%.
Soybean plantings have advanced from 6% last week up to 12% through April 19. As with corn, that was identical to the average trade guess. Louisiana (58%), Mississippi (55%) and Tennessee (50%) have made the most progress among the top 18 production states so far. This year is off to a faster start compared to 2025’s pace of 7% and the prior five-year average of 5%.
Planting for other regional crops were also updated in today’s report, including:
- Cotton at 11%
- Rice at 56%
- Sorghum at 15%
- Sugarbeets at 12%
- Spring wheat at 12%
Winter wheat quality ratings eroded lower again last week, with just 30% of the crop now in good-to-excellent condition. That was a four-point drop from the prior week, with analysts only anticipating a one-point drop. Another 37% of the crop is rated fair (up three points from last week), with the remaining 33% rated poor or very poor (up one point from last week).
Physiologically, 20% of the crop is now headed. That’s notably ahead of 2025’s pace of 14% and the prior five-year average of 12% so far.
Click here to see more data from today’s report, including a state-by-state look at topsoil and subsoil moisture, days suitable for fieldwork and more.