The past 2 weeks have seen U.S. corn and soybean growers set a hectic pace in getting their corn and soybean fields planted. In the case of corn, farmers caught up to the 5 year average and nearly the year-ago progress. With soybeans, growers easily surpassed both the 5 year average and last year’s pace.

According to USDA, 81% of corn was in the ground as of May 20 vs. 62% a week earlier. This tied the 5 year average and is only 1% behind last year’s progress of 82% for this date.

The ag agency also reports that 50% of corn acres have emerged, which nearly equal to last year when 51% of corn was up and out of the ground. It also surpasses the 5 year average of 47% of corn emerged on this date.

Meanwhile, progress planting soybeans this year is better than both 5 year average and last year at this point. USDA says that 56% of soybean were planted as of last Sunday compared to 35% in the prior week. This is an improvement compared to 50% a year ago and the 5 year average of 44%.

USDA reports that 26% of soybean acres have emerged, up from 10% a week earlier. It’s also better than 17% emerged on this date in 2017 and the 5 year average of 15%.