According to the USDA, corn and soybean planting progress remained ahead of five year average levels but finished below analyst expectations during the week ending May 10^th. Corn: Corn plantings as of the week ending May 10^th were 67% completed, finishing ahead of last year’s pace of 28% completed and the five year average pace of 56% completed. Corn planting progress finished at a three year high seasonal pace but was below average analyst expectations of 71% completed. An additional 16% percent of the total U.S. corn crop was planted during the week ending May 10^th. Weekly increases in corn plantings on a percentage basis were led by Wisconsin and Michigan. Corn emergence as of the week ending May 10^th was 24% completed, finishing ahead of last year’s pace of nine percent completed but was slightly behind the five year average pace of 22% completed. Soybeans: Soybean plantings as of the week ending May 10^th were 38% completed, finishing ahead of last year’s pace of eight percent completed and the five year average pace of 23% completed. Soybean planting progress finished at an eight year high seasonal pace but was below average analyst expectations of 42% completed. An additional 15% of the total U.S. soybean crop was planted during the week ending May 10^th. Weekly increases in soybean plantings on a percentage basis were led by Iowa, followed by Nebraska, Minnesota and Michigan. Soybean emergence as of the week ending May 10^th was seven percent completed, finishing ahead of last year’s pace of one percent completed and the five year average pace of four percent completed.