Crop progress remains at a quick pace

With 68 percent of the corn planting done, 19 percent of the corn acres shows emerging sprouts, compared with a historic average of 9 percent for this time of year.

Rice, 76 percent planted, shows emergence in 52 percent of the acreage, compared with a historic average of 40 percent. Sugar beets acreage is 96 percent planted, compared with a historic average of 59 percent. Soybeans are 15 percent planted, compared with a historic average of 8 percent.

Oats, with 82 percent of the planting done, show sprouts on 60 percent of the acreage planted, compared with a 46 percent historic average.

Planting is ahead of the historic pace in corn, sugar beets, soybeans, cotton, sorghum, peanuts, rice, oats, barley, and spring wheat crops, the USDA said.

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