By Jason Vance

The USDA has released another round of crop reports and progress continues even with a mix of weather trends.

Corn

“We’ve had a lot of rain in the Western Corn Belt and trending drier further east,” said USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey. “Corn is entering the dough stage with 58 percent of corn acres reaching that point, the same as the five-year average and equal to last year’s progress at this time.”

Rippey says 14 percent is dented, a point ahead of the five-year average, but two points behind a year ago at this time. Despite the mix of weather the corn condition is holding up.

“We saw a very small week over week decline in conditions, losing a point in the good to excellent ratings now at 72 percent,” Rippey said. “More importantly were not adding any very poor to poor numbers, steady this week at seven percent.”

This year’s crop is coming in quite a bit better than last year when the corn was rated 67 percent good to excellent and 10 percent very poor to poor. Of the 18 reporting states only six have double digit very poor to poor ratings in double digits and most are low end double digits. In the Midwest the only double digit very poor to poor ratings are Illinois at 11 percent and Indiana 10 percent.

Soybeans

With 91 percent of the soybean crop blooming nationally the number setting pods is at 71 percent. Rippey says that compares to 72 percent on the five-year average and 70 percent a year ago.

“We do see somewhat of a delay in some of our Western states,” Rippey said. “South Dakota for example has 53 percent of the soybeans setting pods compared to the five-year average of 67 percent.”

In terms of soybean condition, Rippey says like corn there is a very small decline in condition. Soybeans currently rated 68 percent good to excellent, down a point and very poor to poor ratins are holding steady at seven percent. Only four states have very poor to poor ratings in double digits led by Tennessee at 16 percent, Illinois at 14 percent, Michigan 12 percent and Indiana at 10 percent.

Wheat

In the second week of August the wheat harvest is 90 percent complete, a point behind the five-year average and two points behind last year. Rippey says only two states had not passed the half way stage of winter wheat harvest. Idaho at 50 percent is actually five points above average. Montana has had a very slow start with some very wet weather and cool temperatures leading to just 40 percent harvested about 21 percent below average.

Spring wheat harvest is also proceeding with 16 percent harvested. The five-year average is a bit higher at 22 percent but last year was also at 16 percent.