Corn’s condition was unchanged in the latest week at 74% good to excellent with downgrades in Indiana and Ohio countered by improvement in Illinois and steady readings in Iowa and Nebraska, USDA said on Monday.

Soybeans also were unchanged at 72% good/excellent with improvements noted in Iowa, Illinois, and Nebraska, and declines in Indiana and Ohio.

Based on the drop in corn’s condition ratings, Farm Futures raised its calculated corn yield to about 174 bpa from last week’s 173.4 bpa.  Its calculated average soybean yield was unchanged at about 49.9.

USDA: Corn holds at 74% good/excellent; soybeans stay at 72%

Corn is at 21% dented and 73% in the dough stage nationally, compared with the 21% and 60% averages. Soybeans are at 80% in setting pods versus the average of 75%.

Indiana’s corn rating dropped to 71% good/excellent from the previous 73% and soybeans there went to 71% from 74% as hot, dry conditions continue.

“High temperatures and a lack of rain warranted continued use of irrigation systems. Some areas received rain on Friday but relief was limited,” Indiana said. Rain did fall in central and southern Indiana and crops were doing better there, it said.

In Iowa, the corn rating was unchanged at 83% good/excellent and its soybeans improved 1 point to 83%. Rain fell over much of the state late in the week.

“The heaviest rains came Thursday night into Friday morning when rain totals of three to five inches were common over large areas of central and east central Iowa, as well as over the far southwest corner of the state,” Iowa said.

In Nebraska, corn stayed at 76% good/excellent while soybeans improved 1 point to 78%.

“Many areas received more than two inches of rain, while large pockets in the central and southwestern parts of the state remained dry. In these dry areas, there was concern about the lack of rainfall affecting dryland crop conditions,” Nebraska said.

Winter wheat harvest was winding out at 97% cut, compared with 99% a year ago and the 94% average.

Spring wheat was 48% harvested, compared with 46% a year ago and the 30% average. The crop condition declined 2 points to 66% good to excellent, but North Dakota’s crop was unchanged at 71% good/ excellent. That state’s harvest was at 44% versus 37% last year and the 26% average.

Nationally, sorghum coloring was at 23% versus 23% a year ago and the 26% average. The crop’s condition was unchanged at 65% good to excellent.