(DTN) Planting progress is starting to catch up to an average pace across the nation, although admittedly that comes from extremes well above average in some states and well behind an average pace in others. So now we can start to worry about delays in emergence.

The nation's corn was 63% planted as of Sunday, May 15, compared to 40% last week and a 75% five-year average, according to USDA's weekly Crop Progress report. Analysts were expecting about 60% of the crop to be planted. Corn is 21% emerged, compared to 7% last week and a five-year average of 39%.

"Not all that surprising was Nebraska and Iowa moving ahead of the five-year pace by 9 and 8 percentage points respectively while Illinois only trails the average by 5 percentage points after another week of strong progress," said DTN Analyst John Sanow. "However, several states continue to lag the average pace by a substantial margin: Indiana (37 percentage points), Michigan (27 percentage points), North Dakota (41 percentage points), Ohio (63 percentage points) and Wisconsin (32 percentage points). This report should be considered bullish."

Soybeans are 22% planted, compared to 7% last week and 31% average. Analysts were expecting about 20% of the crop to be in the ground. "This report should be considered neutral leaning toward bearish when taking into account the likelihood beans will gain acreage from the slow planting pace in corn," Sanow said.

Winter wheat is 54% headed, compared to 42% last week and 53% on average. Winter wheat conditions continue to deteriorate with 44% of the crop now rated very poor to poor, 24% fair and 32% good to excellent. "Winter wheat conditions continued to deteriorate in large part due to drought conditions in the Southern Plains and wet weather in large portions of the Midwest," Sanow said.

"Monday's weekly crop condition numbers led to the DTN Winter Wheat Crop Condition Index falling for a sixth straight week to only 27 points, below last week's 33 points and well below last year's 162 points. It also came within one index point of the lowest rating on record of 26 points posted back in 2002-2003. The HRW crops in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas declined yet again with DTN Index ratings of (-18) points, (-93) points and (-100) points respectively. This report should be viewed as bullish."

Spring wheat planting at 36% is well behind the average pace of 76%. "Minnesota continues to lag its five-year average by 37 percentage points and North Dakota by 43 percentage points, while South Dakota made huge strides, only trailing the average by 9 percentage points," Sanow said. "These numbers should be viewed as bullish."

The following are highlights from weekly crop progress reports issued Monday by National Ag Statistics Service offices in individual states. To view the full reports from each state, visit bit.ly/…

Colorado

Most of Colorado received some precipitation last week, especially in the capital, but limited rainfall reached the southeastern corner of the state. The state also experienced average temperatures. Farmers were allowed 5.0 days in the field for spring operations. Topsoil moisture was rated 20% very short, 19% short, 57% adequate and 4% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 25% very short, 28% short, 44% adequate and 3% surplus. Winter wheat was 77% jointed with 14% headed at the end of last week. The crop is rated in mostly fair to poor condition. Spring wheat was 72% seeded with 40% emerged.

Illinois

Temperatures were above normal with a statewide average of 66.6 degrees. The average for the time period is 61.7 degrees. Rains resumed toward the end of the week for an average of 1.09 inches statewide. Number of days suitable for field work averaged 4.7. Topsoil moisture was rated 1% short, 58% adequate, and 41% surplus. Corn planted increased to 69% from last week's 34%. This compares to a five-year average of 74%. Corn emerged was 24% as compared with the five-year average of 50%. Soybean planting moved forward though behind schedule. Soybeans planted jumped to 16% from 2% the previous week. Last year at this time, 41% had been planted. Field work remained on hold where fields were still saturated with water or flooded.

Indiana

Farmers accomplished a great deal this week, working late into the night with more days suitable for field work than any other week this spring. Lingering wet conditions in some eastern and southern counties brought the statewide average number of days suitable for field work down to 3.8 days. Statewide, topsoil moisture was rated 49% adequate and 51% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 1% short, 50% adequate and 49% surplus. Twenty-nine percent of the intended corn acreage has been planted compared with 85% last year and 66% for the 5-year average. Four percent of the corn acreage has emerged compared with 67% last year and 37% for the five-year average. Six percent of the intended soybean acreage has been planted compared with 44% last year and 30% for the five-year average.

Iowa

Strong winds early in the week brought record-high temperatures to much of Iowa, but that was quickly followed by below-average temperatures the latter part of the week. There were 4.2 days suitable for field work statewide during the past week. Topsoil moisture levels rated 2% short, 80% adequate, and 18% surplus. Subsoil moisture rated 2% short, 83% adequate and 15% surplus. Ninety-two percent of Iowa's corn acreage has been planted, behind last year's 96% but ahead of the five-year average of 84%. Thirty-three percent of the state's corn crop has emerged, well behind last year's 63%, and behind the average 42%. Soybean planting surged to 47% complete, behind last year's 52% but ahead of the average 38%.

Kansas

Scattered showers across most of Kansas last week were a welcomed relief to many, but the rain missed several areas of the state that have needed it the most and that continue to be very dry. Farmers had an average of 5.6 days suitable for field work last week. Topsoil moisture supplies declined from the previous week and were rated at 29% very short, 30% short, 38% adequate and 3% surplus. The subsoil moisture supplies decreased and were rated 27% very short, 31% short, 40% adequate and 2% surplus. Despite some precipitation in many areas last week, it was not enough to turn around the slow decline of the winter wheat condition, which was reported at 24% very poor, 31% poor, 30% fair, 14% good and only 1% excellent, the lowest wheat condition reported since June, 1996. Sixty-four percent of the wheat has headed, up 30 points over the previous week, surpassing 60% for both last year and the five-year average. Corn growers reached 84% planted by Sunday, ahead of both last year and the five-year average. Forty-three percent of the crop has emerged. Soybean growers have planted 30% of their crop, ahead of both last year the five-year average of 24% and 16%, respectively. Four percent of the crop has emerged, compared to 5% in 2010 and 3% for a five-year average.

Minnesota

Planting progress was made this past week in spite of frequent rain showers. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 64% adequate and 36% surplus compared to 60% adequate and 40% surplus during the previous week. There were three days suitable for field work. As of May 15, spring wheat advanced 21 percentage points to 39% planted. Corn advanced 19 points to 47% planted. One percent has emerged compared to the 33% five-year average. Nine percent of the expected soybean crop has been planted, behind last year's 46% and the five year average of 38%.

Missouri

Flood waters began to disperse after last week's massive flooding. Areas with good drainage and higher elevation returned to planting. There were 3.7 days suitable for field work. Topsoil moisture continued to be sufficient with 2% short, 56% adequate and 42% surplus. Corn planting jumped 20 points from last week to 79%, 10 days behind last year, but five days ahead of normal. Corn emerged was at 50%, on track with the historic average, but eight days behind last year. Replanting continued with reports that corn didn't sprout. Fervent hopes for soybean planting were upon the state with soybeans 21% planted, six days ahead of last year, and two days ahead of normal.

Nebraska

Record-high temperatures early in the week were followed by unseasonably cool and wet conditions, which caused spring planting progress to slow, allowing only four days suitable for field work. Statewide, topsoil moisture was rated 12% short, 80% adequate and 8% surplus. Subsoil moisture was 1% very short, 23% short, 74% adequate and 2% surplus. Corn planting advanced to 84% complete, behind last year's 87% but near the 83% average. Corn emerged was 21%, behind 33% last year and average. Soybean planting was 40% complete, near 41% last year but ahead of 35% average. Soybeans emerged was 2% behind last year's 5% and 4% average. Wheat jointed was 71%, ahead of last year's 59% but below 75% average. A few wheat fields showed heads. Wheat conditions rated 2% very poor, 15% poor, 36% fair, 42% good and 5% excellent.

North Dakota

Rain and cooler temperatures hindered field work across the state once again, leaving only 2.9 days suitable for field work. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 1% short, 60% adequate, and 39% surplus, while subsoil moisture supplies were rated 1% short, 56% adequate and 43% surplus. Spring and durum wheat were 15% and 3% planted, respectively. Corn was 14% planted, behind both last year and the five-year average. Soybeans were 2% planted, behind both last year and the five-year average. Sugarbeets were 27% planted, well behind 100% last year and 81% average.

Ohio

Temperatures were about six degrees above normal throughout the state, and most of the state received above normal rainfall for the week. Reporters rated 2.3 days suitable for field work during. Topsoil moisture was rated 32% adequate and 68% surplus. As of Sunday, May 15, corn was 7% planted, which was 76% behind last year and 63% behind the five-year average. Corn emerged was 1%, compared to 57% last year and 39% for the five-year average. Soybeans planted were 3%, compared to 44% for both last year and the five-year average. Winter wheat was 88% jointed, which was 3% behind last year and 4% behind the five-year average. One percent of winter wheat was headed, 15% behind last year and 10% behind the five-year average.

Oklahoma

The week began extremely warm with temperatures topping 100 degrees in multiple locations across the state. The drought in the western half of the state continues to affect crop conditions and slow the planting of summer crops. Topsoil moisture conditions improved slightly from the week's rainfall, but subsoil moisture conditions declined slightly: 70% of topsoil and 81% of subsoil was rated short to very short. There were 5.1 days suitable for field work. Wheat headed is virtually complete and 52% of wheat was in the soft dough stage by Sunday, five points ahead of normal. Wheat conditions were rated 43% very poor, 37% poor, 17% fair and 3% good. Corn planted reached 92% complete and 47% of the crop had emerged by Sunday, 23 points behind normal. Sorghum seedbed preparation reached 84% complete and 27% was planted by week's end. Soybean seedbed preparation was 66% complete and 19% was planted by Sunday, eight points behind normal.

South Dakota

Spring planting progress is slowly increasing with 3.7 days suitable for field work in the past seven days. Corn planting advanced 27 percentage points planted last week to 44% complete. Planting progress is still behind last year and the five-year average at 55%. Soybean planting is beginning with 5% now planted, but is still behind last year's 8% and 13% for the five-year average. Spring wheat planting is estimated at 84% for the state, compared to 91% last year and 93% for the five-year average. Thirty-six percent of the crop has emerged. Cooler temperatures again slowed progress of winter wheat growth with only 19% now in the boot stage, compared to last year's 27%.

Texas

Areas of the Edwards Plateau, High Plains, south Texas, Lower Valley and south-central Texas received up to 2 inches of rainfall, and areas of the Low Plains received up to 0.5 of an inch of rainfall, while the Trans-Pecos observed little to no precipitation. As of Sunday, 93% of the corn crop had been planted, slightly behind last year's 94% but even with the five-year average. Seventy percent of the crop had emerged, compared to 74% for last year. Eighteen percent is silked. The corn crop was rated 35% very poor to poor, 39% fair, 25% good and 1% excellent condition. Winter wheat was 92% headed compared to 84% last year and 86% for the average. Crop conditions were rated 75% very poor to poor, 16% fair and 9% good.

Wisconsin

While many farmers were able to get into fields last week, Wisconsin was still far behind the average for planting of oats, corn and soybeans. Across the southern half of the state, planting of corn and soybeans progressed rapidly. There were 3.9 days suitable for field work. Corn planted was at 35% complete statewide. This is an increase of 19 percentage points from the previous week, but still 31 percentage points below the five-year average. Soybean planting started across the state, with 10% reported complete. This is 16 percentage points below the five-year average.

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