Corn planting is almost done, well ahead of schedule, but there’s a long summer ahead for farmers. This news release from the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) says planting progress advanced 10 more points since the previous week to a total of 85 percent planted, but NCGA offered cautious optimism with the report.

“Despite some areas where persistent rains have kept farmers out of the field, overall planting progress in 2015 certainly exceeds expectations,” said National Corn Growers Association President Chip Bowling. “The ever-increasing ability of farmers to take advantage of shrinking planting windows clearly demonstrates the importance of modern technology and testifies to the determined nature of these men and women. Right now, the crop seems more mature and closer to full planting than it did in 2014, but this does not guarantee another record crop by any means. A long summer still lies ahead and, as in many years, the fate of the crop will largely be decided by propitiously timed rains in the middle of the summer.”

Progress exceeded that seen in 2014 at this time by 14 points. Wisconsin surpassed the five-year average by the largest margin, 32 points, to reach 85 percent completion. Colorado fell the furthest behind the five-year average, 17 points, with only 59 percent of corn acres planted by May 17.

You can read the full U.S. Department of Agriculture report here.