It looks like farmers in the big corn and soybean states are finally able to get into their fields, but they remain far off the pace of last year’s planting pace.

USDA reports that, as of April 29, 17% of corn has been planted vs. 32% for this date a year ago and the 5-year average of 27%. So far, Illinois growers have 32% of their corn crop in the ground (but they had 59% last year at this time) vs. only 8% in Indiana, 17% in Iowa, 52% in Missouri, 17% in Nebraska and 0% in Minnesota.

Only 5% of soybeans have been planted as of this past Sunday. That’s even with the 5-year average but behind last year’s pace of 9% for this date.