A crop progress report published last week in the US showed that farmers in some states were ahead of their usual planting progress with maize and soya beans for the time of year.

As of 2 May, 24% of the total US soya bean crop was estimated to be planted, up on the five-year average of 11%.

Farmers in Arkansas, Illinois, Mississippi and Ohio had a considerably bigger percentage of their soya bean crops planted than usual.

Soya bean planting usually carries on well into June in the US.

Corn

Corn planting is also ahead of the five-year average. Forty-six percent of the corn crop was planted as of 1 May, up 10% on the average for the time of year.

Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, North Dakota and Ohio were among states which were progressing well with planting.

Winter wheat condition

Meanwhile, 27% of winter wheat was reported to be headed out, with 42% reported to be in good condition and 33% in fair condition.

Fifty-five percent of soils have adequate moisture levels in the topsoil, 8% were reported to have surplus moisture and 37% of soils were short or very short of moisture, according to the report.

Irish farmers will no doubt keep a close eye on progress, as well as crop condition, particularly maize, and soil moisture status, as corn is one of the commodities with a big influence over barley price here in Ireland.