The latest crop progress report from USDA, out Monday afternoon and covering the week through May 3, showed Midwestern farmers were largely undeterred by some rainy weather this past week, with corn and soybean planting pace staying well ahead of normal. Winter wheat quality ratings found modest improvements at the top two levels, but the percentage of the crop rated poor or very poor was also on the rise.
Corn plantings moved from 25% completion a week ago up to 38% through Sunday. That matched the average analyst estimate, with individual trade guesses ranging between 33% and 45%. Tennessee (87%), Texas (77%) and Kentucky (77%) are leading the way so far. This year’s pace matches 2025’s effort so far and is moderately ahead of the prior five-year average of 34%.
Emergence moved from 7% a week ago up to 13% through May 3. That’s ahead of 2025’s pace of 10% and the prior five-year average of 9%.
Soybean plantings moved from 23% last week up to 33% through Sunday. Analysts were expecting a bit quicker pace, with an average trade guess of 35%. Individual estimates ranged between 31% and 40%. Michigan (3%) is a low outlier among the top 18 production states so far – farmers in the Wolverine State typically have 15% of their crop in the ground by now. This season’s pace nationwide is still well ahead of 2025’s tally of 28% and the prior five-year average of 23%, however.
Emergence moved from 8% last week to 13% through May 3. That’s noticeably above 2025’s pace of 6% and the prior five-year average of 5%.
Plantings for other regional crops were also updated in today’s report, including:
- Cotton at 21%
- Rice at 79%
- Sorghum at 22%
- Sugarbeets at 55%
- Spring wheat at 32%
Winter wheat quality ratings improved slightly at the top levels, with 31% now rated in good-to-excellent condition. That mirrored analyst expectations, with individual trade guesses ranging from 29% to 31%. Another 32% of the crop is rated fair (down three points from last week), with the remaining 37% rated poor or very poor (up two points from last week).
Physiologically, nearly half (49%) is now emerged, up from 34% last week. That’s substantially above 2025’s pace of 37% and the prior five-year average of 32%.
Click here to access more data from today’s report, including a state-by-state look at topsoil and subsoil moisture, days suitable for fieldwork and more.