11 States Beat 5-Year Avg. in Soybean Planting

Soybean planting is surging across the U.S., with 11 out of the 18 key producing states outpacing their five-year averages by double digits, according to the latest USDA crop progress report. Together, these states account for 96% of the nation’s soybean production.

Here’s how those 11 states stack up — and how far ahead they are this season compared to the five-year planting averages.

Forecast

According to the Midwest Climate Hub, much of the Midwest — excluding Ohio — received below-average precipitation in early May. The dry start has helped accelerate fieldwork across key growing regions.

Looking ahead, the Midwest Climate Hub reports that the seven-day precipitation forecast includes minimal rainfall for most of the region. Areas expected to receive more than 1 inch of precipitation include Kentucky and the Dakotas. The 8–14 day outlook shows improved chances for precipitation across the Dakotas and other parts of the Midwest. Temperature forecasts for that period suggest near-normal temperatures in the northwest portion of the region, with above-normal temperatures likely in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky.

State Highlights

In Nebraska, planting averages are 15% ahead of the seasonal norm. Travis Gustafson, Syngenta Crop Protection agronomist, credits the favorable conditions for the accelerated pace. “We are ahead of schedule this year due to ideal planting conditions,” he said.

To the north, Minnesota is seeing similar momentum. Jared Goplen, Wyffels agronomy manager, reports that soybean planting may already be completed in some parts of the state. Fields too wet to work in April have since dried out, accelerating progress.

“Even the areas of southeastern Minnesota and northern Iowa are mostly wrapped up with corn and are nearing the finish line on soybean planting,” said Goplen.

In Iowa, ideal conditions last week and this week have created a highly efficient planting window. Logan Dinkla, agronomist for Syngenta Crop Protection, noted that most of his region is approaching the finish line.

“Planting is either wrapping up or getting close to finished in the majority of my territory,” Dinkla said.

Further east in Wisconsin, farmers are also making headway thanks to a warm, dry stretch. Nick Groth, agronomist for Syngenta Crop Protection, explained that the southern half of the state took full advantage of last week’s weather.

“Last week brought sunny, warmer, and dry weather across the state, which made it a perfect week to get a lot of work done in the field,” he shared. “Planting was in full force all of last week in the southern half of Wisconsin. Northern Wisconsin is still lagging behind the southern half of the state, but was able to get rolling by mid-week, and a lot of work was done through the weekend.”

Shifts in precipitation and temperature could still affect progress in areas that are behind schedule — but for now, farmers are capitalizing on the early-season dry spell.