CORN AND SOYBEAN PLANTING CONTINUES TO SURGE AHEAD AS WE HEAR IN THE WEEKLY CROP REPORT. 

EVEN WITH JUST THREE AND A HALF DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELDWORK ON AVERAGE, FARMERS MADE A LOT OF PROGRESS SAYS CROP STATISTICIAN MARK SCHLEUSENER.

84 PERCENT OF CORN IS NOW PLANTED, UP FROM 73 PERCENT LAST WEEK AND WELL AHEAD OF THE FIVE-YEAR AVERAGE. 45 PERCENT OF THE CORN CROP HAS EMERGED. CROP STATISTICIAN MARK SCHLEUSENER LOOKS AT SOYBEANS:

74 PERCENT OF WINTER WHEAT HAS HEADED AND THE CONDITION OF THE CROP DECLINED TO 62 PERCENT IN GOOD TO EXCELLENT SHAPE. AVERAGE STATEWIDE TOPSOIL MOISTURE IS RATED AS ONE PERCENT VERY SHORT, SEVEN PERCENT SHORT, 59 PERCENT ADEQUATE AND 33 PERCENT SURPLUS.