USDA Crop Progress Report – Week Ending May 18, 2025
U.S. planting efforts made significant strides last week, with warm temperatures and favorable soil conditions supporting strong field activity across the major row crops. According to the USDA’s latest Crop Progress report, corn and soybean planting both posted double-digit weekly gains, while spring wheat continues to track well ahead of its historical pace. Crop emergence is also accelerating, signaling strong early development as producers move closer to completion in key growing regions.
🌽 Corn: 78% Planted, 50% Emerged
Corn planting surged ahead this past week, reaching 78% nationally—up from 62% the previous week and modestly ahead of the 5-year average of 73%. Emergence also made a strong move, with 50% of the crop now out of the ground, compared to 28% a week ago. Progress was especially strong across the Upper Midwest, where Minnesota (92%) and Iowa (91%) continue to set the pace, with Illinois (74%) not far behind.
Improved soil temperatures and an open weather window allowed producers to cover ground quickly. Emergence rates suggest early-season development is on track, particularly in areas that planted early. Some wetter zones in the eastern Corn Belt may see temporary slowdowns this week as rains return to the forecast, but overall progress remains solid.
🌱 Soybeans: 66% Planted, 34% Emerged
Soybean planting also made an aggressive move forward, reaching 66% as of Sunday. That’s an 18-point gain from last week and a full 13 points ahead of the 5-year average of 53%. 34% of soybean acres have emerged, doubling from the previous week’s 17%.
Strong momentum across the Delta and Southern Plains is helping drive national numbers, with Louisiana (89%), Arkansas (76%), and Mississippi (76%) nearing completion. Midwestern states like Iowa (84%) and Illinois (67%) continue to post healthy week-over-week gains. With favorable field conditions holding, many producers could wrap up soybean planting ahead of schedule if weather cooperates through the end of May.
🌾 Spring Wheat: 82% Planted, 45% Emerged
Spring wheat planting has now reached 82% nationally, up from 66% last week and comfortably ahead of the 5-year average. Emergence jumped to 45%, up from just 27% the previous week, reflecting favorable growing conditions across much of the Northern Plains.
North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota led planting progress, with conditions supporting steady early development. Forecasts for warm, dry conditions across the region suggest that final planting efforts should wrap up smoothly, with emergence rates continuing to accelerate in the days ahead.
🌾 Winter Wheat: 61% Headed, 49% Good to Excellent
Winter wheat heading advanced to 61%, slightly behind the 5-year average of 64%. Crop condition ratings saw a modest uptick, with 49% now rated Good to Excellent, up one point from the prior week.
Kansas, Colorado, and Oklahoma showed the most notable improvements, while parts of west Texas and the Panhandle continue to struggle under persistent dryness. Traders and analysts will be watching yield models closely as the crop moves deeper into reproductive stages.
🚜 Other Crops
Planting also moved ahead for other row crops this week. Cotton reached 41% planted, while sorghum hit 30% nationally. Rice is now 85% planted and 65% emerged, and peanut planting reached 51%.
Source: USDA NASS Crop Progress Report – Week Ending May 18, 2025
