This year's corn planting is lagging behind the 2005 pace, winter wheat conditions improve slightly, according to USDA's crop progress report released on Monday.

As of Sunday, 25% of the U.S. corn crop was planted, compared to 28% a year ago, and a 22% five-year average.

USDA, in its weekly report, rated 39% of the winter wheat crop as good/excellent, 27% fair, and 34% very poor-poor. The winter wheat is 23% headed, compared to 16% a year ago and a 14% five-year average. For spring wheat, 20% of the crop is headed, lower than 37% a year ago and a 27% average.

For cotton, USDA estimated 23% of the crop was planted, above 17% a year ago and a 16% average.

This year's corn planting is lagging behind the 2005 pace, winter wheat conditions improve slightly, according to USDA's crop progress report released on Monday.