As of June 16, 92% of U.S. corn was in the ground and 77% of soybeans had been planted. Both remain far behind the normal pace of planting and a high level of uncertainty remains about how much corn will actually get planting at this late date.

Farmers were able to get 9% more corn acres planted in the week between June 9 and June 16. The current pace of planting (92% of total acres) is still far behind the level for this date in 2018 when 100% of corn acres had been sown. The 5 year average for this date is also 100%.

Emerged corn is also behind the normal pace. As of June 16, 79% of corn acres had emerged. This compares with 97% at this point last year as well as the 5 year average.

USDA reports the condition of corn had not changed from the previous week, with 59% in either “good” (52%) or “excellent” (7%) condition. But, not unexpectedly, the current condition of U.S. corn is well below its condition for this date a year ago when 59% was in “good” and 19% in “excellent” condition (78% in total).

As of this past Sunday 77% of soybeans had been planted, up from 60% a week earlier. The current pace of planting is also significantly below last year when 96% had been planted and the 5 year average when 93% of soybeans were in the ground.

According to the ag agency, 55% of soybeans had emerged as of June 16. This compares with 89% a year earlier and the 5 year average of 84%.