56% of U.S. winter wheat rated good to excellent

The U.S. winter wheat crop is in much better shape than this time last year.

The USDA says 56% of the winter crop is in good to excellent condition, below pre-report expectations, but will above the 28% a year ago thanks to improved precipitation while the crop was in dormancy.

4% of winter wheat has headed, compared to the five-year average of 2%.

2% of the U.S. corn crop is planted, compared to 1% on average.

11% of sorghum is planted, all of that in Texas, compared to 13% normally in early April.

3% of cotton is planted, all in Arizona, compared to 4% typically this time of year.

12% of rice is planted, matching the five-year average, and 7% has emerged, compared to 5% most recent Aprils.

1% of spring wheat is planted, in-line with the usual pace.

The USDA says most of the U.S. has adequate to surplus soil moisture, but that does vary widely, even within some states.

Tags: cotton, corn, rice, winter wheat, crop, U.S., sorghum, spring wheat