(NDAgConnection.com) – Fieldwork shifted into high gear this past week, with the amount of corn planted in 18 selected states rising to 49% and soybeans to 30% after lagging significantly behind the average pace over the past five years.

Those averages for this point in the season are 67% for corn and 39% for soybeans, according to today’s Crop Progress Report, by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Quality measurement for these two crops ordinarily begins in June.

The condition of the winter wheat crop lost ground, meanwhile, with 27% rated in either good or excellent condition.

As for spring wheat, just under 49% of the crop has been planted compared to a five-year average of 67%.