This year, planting progress was variable across the state, with southern and central areas of Ohio further along than northern areas due to limited days suitable for fieldwork during the planting season. By May 12 – 2024, only 36% of corn and 27% of soybeans were reported as planted. Moving along to where we are today, despite a variable start of the season, overall, we are ahead of last year and the 5-year average with most fields already in mid to late reproductive stages in Ohio (Figure 1).
A closer look at the USDA-NASS crop progress reports is presented here, where we can see key differences as we compare 2024 with 2023 and the 5-year averages for Ohio. Key differences in planting, emergence, silking, flowering, and early grain fill are outlined.
The 2024 planting progress was behind of 2023 BUT ahead the 5-year average
- By June 2 – 2024, corn planting reached 90%, which was 3 percentage points behind of 2023 but 13 percentage points ahead of the 5-yr average (Figure 2).
- Corn emergence reached 73%, same as for 2023 but 16 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average.
- Corn emergence reached 73%, same as for 2023 but 16 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average.
- By June 2 – 2024, soybean planting reached 79%, 13 percentage points behind of 2023 but 13 percentage points ahead of the 5-yr average (Figure 3).
- Soybean emergence reached 62%, 4 percentage points behind of 2023 but 17 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average.
The 2024 reproductive progress was ahead of 2023 and the 5-year average
- By August 4 – 2024, corn silking reached 91%, 11 percentage points ahead of 2023 and 12 percentage points ahead of the 5-yr average.
- Corn dough reached 47%, 32 percentage points ahead of 2023 and 23 percentage points ahead of the 5-yr average (Figure 4).
- By August 4 – 2024, soybean blooming reached 90%, 11 percentage points ahead of 2023 and the 5-yr average.
- Soybean pods setting reached 69%, 27 percentage points ahead of 2023 and 22 percentage points ahead of the 5-yr average (Figure 5).
Main takeaways – Crop Progress 2024
In 2024, the corn and soybean acreage were planted behind the 2023 planting season but ahead of the 5-year average. Overall, corn planting progress advanced faster and was completed earlier than soybean this year.
By August 4 – 2024, reproductive progress for both corn and soybean were well ahead of last year and of the 5-year average, getting an earlier start to the grain filling phases. If trends hold, harvest can be expected earlier this year, with hopefully a lower risk of frost damage in fields that were planted later.
On the most recent reports for Ohio, corn and soybean fields were rated at 63-64% good to excellent, some regions with ample moisture in the soil but others lacking some. Adequate water, temperatures, and solar radiation from this time forward will be critical to achieving adequate yields by then of this season. Maintaining a good handle on other yield-limiting factors such as nutrients, weeds, pests, and disease is also necessary to achieve that goal.