The USDA Crop Progress Report shows that winter wheat condition is staying bout the same, but there are some signs of some improvement - though small. About 30% of the crop is still rated poor to very poor as it was last week, but 31% is now rated "good" versus 29% the week before.
It still looks like the winter wheat crop will have to a long way to get even close to where it was this time last year. A threat of deep snows for western Nebraska and Kansas could help some areas - and farmers are waiting to find out.
And cotton planting continues to roll ahead - at least in Alabama, Arizona, California and Tennessee. But planting is still running behind the five-year average with only 5% in the ground versus 7% by this time normally. And last year, 9% of the cotton was planted by now.
Sorghum planting has begun in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas, but is running behind the five-year average this year as well. About 16% of the crop is in the ground versus 19% normally - whether that's really statistically significant remains to be seen since key sorghum-producers like Nebraska and Kansas haven't see the planter roll yet.
Rice planting is behind average too with 17% of the crop in the ground when 20% is usually planted. However, rice emergence is running ahead of average. Warmer weather in Texas and Louisiana have made a difference there.
Keep up with crop conditions and yield estimates on the Farm Futures Statistical Tables and Charts page.