According to USDA, corn planting progress remained behind last year’s pace but slightly ahead of five year average levels through the week ending May 22nd while soybean planting progress was equal to last year’s pace while remaining ahead of five year average levels. Corn: Corn plantings as of the week ending May 22nd were 86% complete, finishing below last year’s pace of 90% but slightly ahead of the five year average pace of 85%. Of the major corn planting states, plantings trended significantly below the previous year in Ohio, Indiana and Michigan, while increasing most significantly on a YOY basis in Missouri and North Dakota. Corn plantings were most significantly higher when compared to five year average figures within North Dakota and Wisconsin, while finishing most significantly lower when compared to five year average figures within Ohio and Indiana. Corn emergence for the week ending May 22nd was reported at 60% compared to a 69% emergence rate experienced last year and a five year average emergence rate of 55%. Soybeans: Soybean plantings as of the week ending May 22nd were 56% complete, finishing equal to last year’s pace of 56% and ahead of the five year average pace of 52%. Of the major soybean planting states, plantings trended significantly below the previous year in Ohio and Indiana while increasing most significantly on a YOY basis in North Dakota and Missouri. Soybean plantings were most significantly higher when compared to five year average figures within North Dakota and Minnesota, while finishing most significantly lower when compared to five year average figures within Ohio and Kansas. Soybean emergence for the week ending May 22nd was reported at 22% compared to a 27% emergence rate experienced last year and a five year average emergence rate of 21%.