US spring planting faces high soil moisture: USDA

The US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) crop progress report shows elevated levels of soil moisture in the major grain producing states, which could slow spring planting.

In its first crop progress report for the 2023-24 marketing year, the USDA reports 19pc surplus condition for topsoil compared with 13pc at the same time last year and 57pc adequate as compared to 50pc last year.

Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin are all over 45pc in surplus condition, representing 28pc of corn acreage for 2023-24.

The northern states of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota are at 12pc, 8pc and 27pc, respectively, although the potential for flooding exists based on NOAA's spring outlook.The USDA shows Texas at 57pc of intended corn acres planted versus the five-year average of 54pc. With that said, corn planting begins in late April for most of the Midwest with most of the corn crop planted by mid-May.

Winter wheat conditions are 28pc good to excellent versus the same time last year at 30pc, while poor to very poor are at 36pc this year, similar to last year.

By Eduardo Gonzalez

Surplus Moisture.pdf Surplus Moisture