USDA’s latest crop progress report, out Monday afternoon and covering the week through August 18, held a plethora of physiological and crop quality data for traders to digest. Of particular note, the agency is now tracking four separate corn growth stages. Also worth mentioning, USDA made no changes to its corn or soybean crop quality ratings, mirroring analyst expectations.

Corn quality held steady this past week, with 67% of the crop still rated in good-to-excellent condition. Another 22% of the crop is rated fair (down one point from last week), with the remaining 11% rated poor or very poor (up one point from last week). Ratings among the top 18 production states vary widely, from Missouri (79% in good-to-excellent condition) all the way down to North Carolina (9% in good-to-excellent condition).

Physiologically, 97% of this season’s corn crop is now silking, 74% has reached dough stage, 30% is dented and 5% is now fully mature. Each growth stage is trending a handful of points above the prior five-year average.

Soybean quality ratings were also left unchanged last week, with 68% still in good-to-excellent condition through Sunday. However, the G/E split did move from 55/13 to 54/14. Another 24% of the crop was rated fair (unchanged from last week), with the remaining 8% rated poor or very poor (unchanged from last week).

Physiologically, 95% of this season’s soybean crop is now blooming, which matches the prior five-year average. And 81% of the crop is now setting pods, versus the prior five-year average of 80%.

Spring wheat quality conditions improved a point last week, with 73% of the crop now rated in good-to-excellent condition. Another 22% of the crop is rated fair (down one point from last week), with the remaining 5% rated poor or very poor (unchanged from last week). Spring wheat harvest progress increased from 18% a week ago up to 31% through Sunday, which is five points below the prior five-year average so far.

The winter wheat harvest moved from 93% completion a week ago up to 96%, putting this season’s effort slightly ahead of 2023’s pace of 95% and the prior five-year average, also 95%. USDA has marked 13 of the top 18 production states as 100% completed.

Click here for more data from the latest UDSA crop progress report, including other regional crop information, plus a state-by-state look at topsoil moisture, days suitable for fieldwork and more.