Corn stayed at 75% good to excellent in the latest week and soybeans stayed at 71% as widespread rain in the Midwest last week helped crops.

USDA’s weekly progress report said corn silking nationally was at 56%, up from the 46% average. In the key states, Iowa was at 67%, Illinois at 77% and Nebraska at 55%.  

In Iowa, the corn rating was 81% good/excellent and its soybeans were 80%.

Corn's condition stayed at 75% good to excellent in the latest weekly USDA report. (Photo: fuse/Thinkstock)

“Timely rains were beneficial to crops,” the Iowa report said. “Much higher humidity moved back into Iowa Saturday night and Sunday (17th) with the moisture surge bringing rain statewide early Sunday morning with 2- to 3-inch rain totals common from the Iowa Great Lakes region eastward to the Mason City and Decorah areas.”

The statewide average precipitation in Iowa last week was 1.65 inches, well above the weekly normal of 1.05 inches. Statewide topsoil moisture was rated 7% surplus, 78% adequate, 12% short and 3% very short.

Corn in Illinois and Nebraska was rated 80% good/excellent for both states. Soybeans in Illinois came in at 76% good/excellent and Nebraska at 77%.

Winter wheat was 76% harvested, compared with 72% a year ago and the 73% average. The harvest has moved north where Nebraska was 75% done, South Dakota at 53% and Montana at 2%.

Spring wheat’s condition slipped 1 point to 69% good to excellent, with North Dakota’s crop at 73% good/ excellent.

Nationally, sorghum coloring was at 19%, the same as last year, but down from the 23% average. The crop slipped 1 point to 68% good to excellent.

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