IP Crop Network – May Report

The weather is heating up and so is planting across the Midwest. SSGA’s IP Crop Network will be published twice a month, highlighting growing conditions for identity preserved crops from different regions around the country. The reports include both first-hand accounts and data from the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) weekly Crop Progress reports. 

Planting activities over the past 7 days in northwest Wisconsin have been at a most rapid pace. Nearly perfect planting conditions prevail across the region. The earliest planted corn is emerging, and soybeans are a little slower with some just peeking out. It is very much on the dry side with some producers starting to nudge the seed a little deeper into moisture.  

Planting is in full swing across southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois, with strong momentum continuing thanks to favorable weather. According to the USDA’s May 12 report, approximately 40% of soybeans had been planted in Wisconsin. Many growers are aiming to wrap up soybean planting by this weekend or early next week if conditions hold. With this pace, one can expect to see soybean emergence beginning as early as late next week in many fields. This marks a critical phase in the growing season as the young plants begin developing their vegetative structure—laying the foundation for future reproductive growth and yield potential. Uniform emergence and early vigor will be key indicators to watch over the next two weeks as plants transition into establishing a robust canopy and strong root systems later in their growth. 

Spring planting is progressing at a brisk pace across North Dakota. For the week ending May 11, 2025, 26% of soybean acres had been planted—well ahead of last year’s 6% and the five-year average of 8%. Early-season field conditions were favorable. Crops were seeded into warm, moist seedbeds that supported quick germination and strong initial emergence. Soil temperatures rose steadily providing excellent early growing conditions. 

However, a shift in the weather pattern brought a stretch of unseasonably hot and dry conditions last week, leading to a rapid decline in topsoil moisture. The region experienced record-breaking temperatures over the weekend; some areas experienced up to 100-101°F. While planting progress is ahead of schedule, continued hot, dry conditions could impact crop establishment if rainfall doesn’t return soon. The next two weeks will be critical for stand development and moisture conservation. 

In Michigan, one grower started planting corn on Sunday and identity preserved soybeans on Monday. Planting has been slow in the past week due to wet conditions, but overall, ahead of normal progress with 29% of soybeans planted according to the most recent NASS report. 

The 2025 growing season has a good start in Michigan. There was a window of several days at the end of April which allowed for some good planting conditions and progress in many crops including soybeans. Many of the April planted crops have emerged while some others are struggling to push through crusted soil.  

According to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Missouri farmers had 4.9 suitable days for fieldwork during the week ending May 11. Wet weather in central and eastern parts of the state has slowed progress some, but overall, planting is still moving forward at a steady pace. 68% of corn acres have been planted, closely tracking the 5-year average of 71%. About 43% of the planted crop has emerged. Soybean planting is ahead of schedule at 40%, compared to the 5-year average of 29%. Approximately 17% of the crop has emerged. The winter wheat crop is looking very strong with 78% rated as good to excellent and 76% having headed. Soil conditions remain favorable statewide. Topsoil moisture is rated 97% adequate to surplus, and subsoil moisture is at 96%.  

Missouri soils are holding plenty of moisture headed into the heart of planting season, which should support early crop development – once the field conditions dry out enough to allow more progress. 

In Minnesota, early spring was wet, which delayed planting. Recently, farmers were lucky with little rain, allowing planting to progress quickly and to catch up. Corn is 75% planted, as of the May 12 NASS report, and soybeans are at 52%. This is well ahead of the 5-year average. With little rain in the forecast for the week, farmers are hopeful to finish at least corn by the end of the week. 

With conditions looking favorable in most areas, growers are hopeful to finish planting within the next week or so. Stay tuned for more updates from SSGA throughout the growing season. View the entire NASS report from May 12 here.