Corn’s condition stayed at 75% good to excellent for another week, while soybeans slipped 2 points to 70%, USDA said on Tuesday.

In addition, corn silking was at 15%, up from last year’s 10% and the average of 13%.

In Iowa, the corn rating also was unchanged at 18% excellent, 61% good, 17% fair, 3% poor and 1% very poor. The state report said rain is needed. The crop was 6% silking versus 1% last year and 6% average.  

Corn’s condition stayed at 75% good to excellent for another week. (Photo: venturecx/Thinkstock)

“Spotty precipitation brought relief to some while missing other areas entirely in Iowa during the week ending July 3,” the Iowa report said. “South central and southeast Iowa continued to have the lowest levels of topsoil moisture in the state with two thirds short to very short this week.”

The weather was a little better in Illinois where “cool weather and rain through much of the state helped relieve some stress on the corn, soybeans and pastures. The average temperature was 69.2 degrees, 5.2 below normal," it said.  Topsoil moisture there was 5% very short, 18% short, 72% adequate and 5% surplus.

Winter wheat’s condition was unchanged at 62% good to excellent. The crop was 58% harvested, compared with 50% a year ago and the 55% average.

In Kansas, where 79% of the state’s wheat was cut, “rainfall amounts of an inch were common in the north, while many southern counties received three inches or more.” Despite the rain, the harvest was ahead of last year’s 70% and the five-year average of 76%.

Spring wheat’s condition was unchanged at 72% good to excellent, with North Dakota’s crop down 1 point at 77% good the excellent.

“Minimal amounts of rainfall were received across much of the state. Crops were showing signs of drought stress,” North Dakota said. North Dakota’s corn was rated 78% good/excellent and soybeans at 75%.

Nationally, sorghum was 29% headed, compared with 23% last year and the 24% average. The crop slipped 1 point to 69% good to excellent.