Corn and soybean planting progress continues to run ahead of the average pace.  The corn crop is 60% planted, compared to 49% last week and the 5-year average of 46%.  Twenty-three percent of the corn crop has emerged.  Soybeans are 23% planted, ahead of last year’s and the 5-year average of 8%.  Cotton is 5% planted compared to the five-year average of 3%.  Apples are 85% in full bloom compared to last year at 82% and the 5-year average of 85%. 

Winter wheat is rated 67% good to excellent with 94% of the crop jointing and 61% headed.  Pastures are rated 64% good to excellent and strawberries are rated 75% good to excellent. 

Topsoil moisture is 94% adequate to surplus and subsoil moisture is 95% adequate to surplus. 

…