Both corn and soybean conditions remain the same from last week’s averages. However, both remain down from where they were last year at this time.  According to the latest USDA NASS Crop conditions report, 48% of the corn is in good condition; 14% in excellent and 26% in fair condition. In 2016, 54% of the corn was in good condition; 21% in excellent and 18% in fair condition.

In the Midwest, farmers in Ohio report 44% in good condition; Illinois growers report 42; Indiana farmers report 41%; and 30% in Missouri.

Soybean conditions

Soybean crop conditions also stayed the same from last week’s report.  The USDA NASS report shows 50% of the soybean crop in good condition; 28% in fair and 11% in excellent condition.

The soybean conditions are still below the 2016 averages. Last year, the USDA NASS report shows 55% was in good condition; 18% in excellent and 20% in fair condition.

Corn dough

The latest USDA NASS crop condition report shows 86% of the corn crop in the dough stage. That’s down 1% from the average. In 2016, 91% of the crop was in the dough stage.

States running behind this year’s average include Colorado with 63%; Wisconsin with 68% and Michigan showing 70%.

Corn dented

One corn stage that appears to be running behind in 2017 is the dented stage. The USDA crop progress report shows 44% in the stage, that’s down from the 51% average.

Several states are reporting being even farther behind including South Dakota with 23% and 19% in Pennsylvania. Other states are also running behind including North Dakota with 18%; Wisconsin growers saying 17% and Colorado with 15% of the crop in the dented stage.

Corn maturity

The first week of the corn maturity report shows 6% of the nation’s corn crop is mature. That’s down 2% from the average of 8% in 2016.  The nation’s four year average shows 10% of the crop is usually mature at this time.

States showing a head start in maturity include North Carolina with 72%; Texas with 63%; Kentucky reports 39% and Tennessee growers say 38% of their crop is mature.

Soybeans setting pods

This week’s crop progress report shows 93% of the soybean crop is setting pods. That’s up 1% from the four year average of 92%.  However, three states are running behind the average including Kentucky (79%); North Carolina (78%); and Missouri with 85%.

Soybeans dropping leaves

The crop progress report shows 6% of the soybeans planted in the United States this spring are now dropping their leaves. That’s up 1% from the four year average of 5%.

Some states are ahead including Louisiana with 54% dropping; Mississippi reporting 44%; Arkansas 25% and North Dakota with 13%.