According to USDA, corn planting progress has approached previous year levels through the week ending May 20^th while soybean planting progress finished ahead of previous year levels. Corn: Corn plantings as of the week ending May 20^th were 81% complete, finishing slightly behind last year’s pace of 82% but equal to the five year average pace of 81%. An additional 19% of the total U.S. corn crop was planted during the week ending May 20^th. Weekly increases in corn plantings on a percentage basis were led by Vermont, followed by South Dakota and Minnesota. The May 20^th weekly increase in corn plantings of 19% was greater than the historical average seasonal increase of 15%. Corn emergence as of the week ending May 20^th was 50% complete, finishing slightly behind last year’s pace of 51% but ahead of the five year average pace of 47%. Soybeans: Soybean plantings as of the week ending May 20^th were 56% complete, finishing ahead of last year’s pace of 50% and the five year average pace of 44%. An additional 21% of the total U.S. soybean crop was planted during the week ending May 20^th. Weekly increases in soybean plantings on a percentage basis were led by Minnesota, followed by Nebraska and Iowa. The May 20^th weekly increase in soybean plantings of 21% was greater than the historical average seasonal increase of 17.2%. Soybean emergence as of the week ending May 20^th was 26% complete, finishing ahead of last year’s pace of 17% and the five year average pace of 15%.