According to USDA, corn and soybean planting progress continues to remain ahead of the previous year’s pace through the week ending May 8th. Corn: Corn planting as of the week ending May 8th was 64% complete compared to 55% last year and a ten year average of 47%. Corn planting has ranged from 12% to 81% completed throughout the week ending May 8th over the past ten years. Of the major corn planting states, plantings trended significantly above the previous year in Missouri, while declining most significantly on a YOY basis in South Dakota and Michigan. Corn plantings were most significantly higher when compared to ten year average figures within Minnesota and Missouri, while finishing lower when compared to ten year average figures within Michigan and Ohio. Soybeans: Soybean planting as of the week ending May 8th was 23% complete compared to 13% last year and a ten year average of 12%. Soybean planting has ranged from 2% to 30% completed throughout the week ending May 8th over the past ten years. Of the major soybean planting states, plantings trended significantly above the previous year in Arkansas, Missouri and Iowa, while no YOY declines in planting progress were exhibited across the major soybean planting states. Soybean plantings were most significantly higher when compared to ten year average figures within Minnesota, while finishing most significantly lower when compared to ten year average figures within Ohio.