PF CCI: Corn and Soybean Rating Fall

When USDA’s weekly crop condition ratings are plugged into Pro Farmer’s weighted (by production) Crop Condition Index (CCI; 0 to 500 point scale, with 500 representing perfect), the corn crop fell 1.61 points to 357.01 points. Soybean ratings fell 2.24 points over the past week to 346.67 points.

* denotes percentage of total national corn crop production.

Iowa: It was mostly dry in Iowa with above normal temperatures for the week ending September 17, 2017, according to USDA, NASS. Statewide there were 6.2 days suitable for fieldwork. With increased heat and little moisture, crops matured rapidly in the past week. Activities for the week included seeding cover crops, spreading manure, harvesting seed corn, chopping corn silage, and hauling grain.

Topsoil moisture levels rated 21 percent very short, 30 percent short, 49 percent adequate and 0 percent surplus. According to the Sept. 12, 2017 U.S. Drought Monitor, parts of south central and southeast Iowa remain in extreme drought status. Subsoil moisture levels rated 20 percent very short, 34 percent short, 46 percent adequate and 0 percent surplus.

Eighty-eight percent of the corn crop has reached the dent stage or beyond, eight days behind last year and three days behind the 5-year average. Thirty percent of corn had reached maturity, six days behind last year and average. Reports were received from throughout the state that corn harvest for grain has begun. Corn condition declined slightly to 59 percent good to excellent.

Seventy-four percent soybeans were turning color or beyond, two days behind last year but one day ahead of average. Thirty-one percent of soybeans were dropping leaves, one day behind average. Scattered soybean fields across most of the state have been harvested. Soybean condition dropped to 58 percent good to excellent.

Illinois: Warm, dry weather prevailed across most of the state last week. There 6.8 were days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Sept. 17. Statewide, the average temperature was 68.4 degrees, 1.3 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 0.07 inches, 0.78 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated at 31 percent very short, 44 percent short, and 25 percent adequate. Subsoil moisture supply was rated at 25 percent very short, 45 percent short, and 30 percent adequate.

Corn dented was at 89 percent, compared to 94 percent for the 5-year average. Corn mature was at 39 percent, compared to 60 percent last year. Corn harvested was at 5 percent. Corn condition was rated 4 percent very poor, 9 percent poor, 35 percent fair, 44 percent good, and 8 percent excellent.

Soybeans coloring was at 70 percent, compared to 67 percent for the 5-year average. Soybeans dropping leaves was at 32 percent, compared to 29 percent last year. Soybean condition was rated 5 percent very poor, 10 percent poor, 32 percent fair, 46 percent good, and 7 percent excellent.

Indiana: Warmer temperatures and little rain helped with dry down for corn and soybeans, according to Greg Matli, Indiana State Statistician for the USDA’s NASS. Much of western Indiana was categorized as abnormally dry by the U.S. Drought Monitor. Some areas of the state did receive some residual rainfall from Hurricane Irma, but it was not substantial. The statewide average temperature was 66.6 degrees, 0.1 degrees below normal. Statewide precipitation was 0.27 inches, below average by 0.52 inches. There were 5.9 days available for fieldwork for the week ending Sept. 17, down 0.1 days from the previous week.

Regionally, corn was 88% dented in the North, 83% in Central, and 88% in the South. Corn was 27% matured in the North, 45% in Central, and 54% in the South. Corn was 3% harvested for grain in the North, 3% in Central, and 17% in the South. Corn rated in good to excellent condition was 54% in the North, 49% in Central, and 53% in the South.

Soybeans were 41% dropping leaves in the North, 45% in Central, and 43% in the South. Soybeans rated in good to excellent condition were 58% in the North, 50% in Central, and 52% in the South.

Minnesota: Warm conditions aided maturity of corn and soybeans and contributed to a rapid harvest pace of dry edible beans during the week ending Sept. 17, 2017, according to USDA’s NASS. There were 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork. Some areas reported fall tillage delays due to dry conditions. Harvest continued for corn silage, sugarbeets, potatoes, and alfalfa hay. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 2 percent very short, 16 percent short, 78 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 4 percent very short, 15 percent short, 78 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus.

Eighty-six percent of the corn for grain crop reached the dent stage, remaining 5 days behind the 5-year average. Thirteen percent had reached maturity, 10 days behind both last year and average. Corn for silage was 30 percent complete, 11 days behind average. Corn condition was 81 percent good to excellent.

Eighty-one percent of the soybean crop was turning color with 36 percent dropping leaves. Scattered reports of soybean harvesting were noted in northern Minnesota. Soybean condition remained at 72 percent good to excellent.