US corn planting 2026 has hit 5% of acres planted across the top 18 producing states as of April 12, according to the latest USDA Crop Progress report published April 14. That pace puts the corn crop one point ahead of the five-year average of 4% for this point in the season, and the week marked the first reported planting activity in Colorado, Iowa, and Ohio — three of the most critical corn-producing states in the country. The strong early pace reflects favorable field conditions and soil temperatures rising above the 50-degree threshold needed to support germination across southern production areas.
The soybean planting pace is the most striking early-season data point. With 6% of soybean acres planted across 11 of the top 18 states, the 2026 crop is running significantly ahead of the five-year average of 2% for this date. Agronomists attribute the acceleration to efficient field operations, improved soil moisture conditions following spring rains, and the increasing use of precision agriculture tools that allow producers to compress planting windows. The data aligns with USDA’s April 2026 WASDE projections and reinforces early-season optimism for corn and soybean yields.
US corn planting 2026 advances but winter wheat conditions keep deteriorating
The positive corn and soybean planting picture stands in contrast to continued stress in winter wheat. Only 34% of the national winter wheat crop was rated good to excellent as of April 12, down from 47% at the same point last year and slightly below the 35% reading in the first report of the season covering the week ending April 5. While 11% of the winter wheat crop had already reached the heading stage in seven key states — exceeding the five-year average of 7%, which indicates accelerated development — that advancement reflects drought stress and not favorable conditions. In the Southern Plains, wheat plants heading early on thin stems with minimal canopy have little chance of producing a harvestable yield, a situation detailed in on-the-ground reports from West Texas and Oklahoma.
The divergence between a strong corn and soybean planting pace and declining wheat conditions reflects the geographic and weather split that has defined early 2026 agriculture. Rainfall that improved soil moisture in the Corn Belt came too late and in the wrong places to rescue winter wheat in the Southern Plains. For the broader picture of how winter wheat conditions reached this point, Agroinformacion covered the first 2026 Crop Progress report and the Southern Plains drought driving the wheat decline.
Spring wheat, oats, and regional variability complete the early season picture
Spring wheat planting has started slightly behind its historical pace. As of April 12, 6% of spring wheat acres were planted across the top six states, one point behind the five-year average of 7%. Washington is leading early spring wheat activity with 36% of its acres planted, reflecting the more favorable Pacific Northwest conditions compared to northern Plains states where soils may still be too cold or wet for fieldwork.
Oat planting is largely on track, with 36% completed across eight of the nine major oat-producing states, in line with historical averages for this date. However, crop emergence is slightly delayed at 24% versus the five-year average of 26%, suggesting cooler soil temperatures in some oat-growing regions are slowing the transition from seed to seedling. The combined picture heading into mid-April is one of strong corn and soybean momentum offset by persistent wheat stress and modest regional variability across smaller crops. The original Crop Progress data and analysis were published by Agrolatam on April 13, 2026.