May 06, 2026
U.S. Corn 38% Planted vs. 34% Average, Soy 33% vs. 23% Average
Author: Michael Cordonnier/Soybean & Corn Advisor, Inc.
Corn planting- 2026 U.S. corn was 38% planted as of Sunday compared to 38% last year and 34% average. This represents an increase of 13% for the week. Corn was 13% emerged compared to 10% last year and 9% average.
Now that the calendar has turned to May, we need to monitor more closely the pace of corn planting. Next Friday is May 15th and corn planted after that date has the potential for lower yields depending on the weather during the growing season. If corn planting is delayed until late May, the yield potential could decline for each day that planting is delayed. For now, planting is slightly ahead of average, but emergence is slowing down due to the cool temperatures. Warmer temperatures will be needed next week to get the crop up and growing.
Corn acreage and yield - The 2026 U.S. corn acreage could end up 1-2 million acres less than the 95.33 million acres estimated in the Perspective Plantings Report. The 2026 U.S. corn yield is estimated at between 180 to 182 bu/ac which is below last year due to a potential reduction in fertilizer usage.
Soybean planting - 2026 U.S. soybeans were 33% planted as of Sunday compared to 28% last year and 23% average. This represents an increase of 10% for the week. Soybeans were 13% emerged compared to 6% last year and 5% average.
Soybeans are more forgiving than corn if planting is delayed. The trend in recent years has been to plant soybeans as early as possible to encourage maximum vegetative growth before the summer solstice. Planting is currently ahead of average which should bode well for high soybean yields. With that said, later planted soybeans could still achieve good yields if the weather during July and August cooperates.
Soybean acreage and yield - The 2026 U.S. soybean acreage could end up 1-2 million acres more than the 84.70 million acres estimated in the Perspective Plantings Report. The 2026 U.S. soybean yield is estimated at 52.0 bu/ac.
Weather - Showers should sweep across the Midwest this week temporarily slowing planting progress. Temperatures across the Midwest this week will be cooler than normal which could slow the drying out of wet soils as well as germination and emergence. We are now into the first week of May, so any potential delay in planting or emergence would now be more important.