As of Sunday, soybean planting progress was 46% complete, according to Monday's Crop Progress report from USDA. That is seven points ahead of the five-year average pace and five points behind last year's progress at this point in the growing season.

Progress in the eastern Corn Belt is well ahead of the usual pace: soybean growers in Illinois have 70% of acres planted. That compares with 54% last year and 45% for the five-year average for planting progress at this time. In Ohio growers have 63% of soybean acres planted - up from 50% last year and 48% for the five-year average. In Iowa, growers have fallen behind the season-average planting pace with 45% of acres planted - the five-year average is 47%. Last year at this time 72% of the crop was planted.

Nationally, emergence for the soybean crop stands at 11% of acres, that is down from 17% emerged at this point last year and down from 14% for the five-year average.

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For corn, planting is complete on 89% of intended acres, ten point ahead of the five-year average but two points behind last year at this date. Emergence is at 41% of acres nationally. That is seven points shy of the five-year average and 18 points behind last year's progress at this date.

Illinois growers have 98% of corn acres planted, Iowa 96%, Ohio 90%, Indiana 89%.

Winter wheat is heading on 59% of acres, three points behind the five year average pace. Pretty much on pace with the season-average, 98% of wheat is heading in Oklahoma, 99% in California, 98% in Arkansas, 89% in Texas. In Kansas, 69% is heading, which is down from 86% last year and seven points behind the five-year average pace for development.

Crop condition ratings were lowered again this week. Now 55% of the crop is rated good or excellent. Last week that total was 59%. Last year at this date just 45% rated that well.

Spring wheat planting is 89% complete, down a point from last year's progress for this date, but well ahead of the five-year average pace. Normally 74% of the crop would be planted by now. Planting is complete in South Dakota and Washington, and is within seven points of completion in Minnesota. In Montana, 89% of the crop is planted. Idaho growers have 88% of acres planted. North Dakota growers are 84% done.

Fifty-five percent of the spring wheat crop is emerging nationally.

Other highlights from the report:

• Cotton planting is 55% complete nationally, two points behind the five-year average and last year's progress at this date.

• Sorghum planting is 26% complete nationally. That is five points behind the usual progress for this date and for last year. In Illinois, 43% of the crop is planted, well ahead of last year's progress when 32% was planted. The five-year average for the state is 21%. In Kansas planting progress is also well behind the usual pace. Eleven percent of the crop was planted as of Sunday. That is down from 17% last year and 20% for the five-year average pace.

• Planting progress in peanuts has advanced to 32% of completion, up from 11% a week ago but still well off the usual pace. Last year at this date 44% of the crop was planted. The five-year average is 47%. In Virginia 39% of intended acres are planted, down from 49% last year and a five-year average of 62%. In Georgia, 25% of the crop is planted, down from 42% last year at this date and 43% for the five-year average.

• One point behind last year at this date and one point ahead of the five-year average pace, rice planting is 87% complete. Growers in Texas and Mississippi look ready to finish up planting shortly with 98% of acres planted as of Sunday. Missouri growers are ahead of their usual progress with 94% of the crop planted. Normally 79% would be in the ground by now. Emergence is 63% complete nationally - down from 75% last year and 70% for the five-year average pace.

• The first rice condition ratings for the season were released Monday. One percent of the crop was rated very poor, 4% poor, 37% fair, 51% good and 7% excellent. Last year at this time 31% of the crop rated fair, 52% good and 12% excellent.