Corn and Soybean Crop Ratings Above Year-Ago

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), it shows the condition of the corn crop improved by 2.25 points from last week to 386.96, which is 15.24 points above year-ago. Meanwhile, the soybean crop improved by 1.7 points to 370.63, up 17.71 points from year-ago. Corn and soybean ratings improved in the three big “I” states of Illinois, Indiana and Iowa.

* denotes percentage of total national corn crop production.

Iowa: Hit or miss rains allowed Iowa farmers 4.5 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending July 10, 2016, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Activities for the week included herbicide and insecticide application s to soybeans and second cutting of hay. There were scattered reports o f crop damage due to strong winds and hail. Topsoil moisture levels rated 5% very short, 19% short, 72% adequate and 4% surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 4% very short, 17% short, 75% adequate and 4% surplus. South-central and southeast Iowa were the driest areas of the state with 49% rated short to very short on subsoil moisture.

Twenty-nine percent of the corn crop had reached the silking stage. Corn condition rated 79% good to excellent. Soybeans blooming reached 40%, two days ahead of both last year and the five-year average. Six percent of soybeans were setting pods, four days ahead of normal. Soybean condition rated 77% good to excellent this week.

Illinois: Widespread rain across the state helped crops and pastures. There were some reports of minor flooding and ponding on fields in the southern part of the state. Statewide, the average temperature was 74.5 degrees, 1.6 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 2.11 inches, 1.26 inches above normal. There were 4.1 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending July 10. Topsoil moisture supply was rated at 2% very short, 9% short, 79% adequate, and 10% surplus. Subsoil moisture supply was rated at 2% very short, 12% short, 78% adequate, and 8% surplus.

Corn silking reached 53%, a jump of 31 percentage points over last week. Corn condition was rated 2% very poor, 4% poor, 18% fair, 56% good, and 20% excellent. Soybeans blooming was at 39%, compared to 28% last year. Soybeans setting pods reached 7%. Soybean condition was rated 2% very poor, 5% poor, 19% fair, 58% good, and 16% excellent.

Indiana: Rain showers continued to be spotty throughout the State, with the North receiving minimal rains while the South experienced heavy downpours and high winds, according to Greg Matli, Indiana State Statistician for the USDA’s NASS. Despite the increased rainfall, portions of the State remained abnormally dry. Farmers in drier regions continued to use irrigation systems to maintain adequate moisture. Statewide precipitation was above average at 1.57 inches. Cooler temperatures helped to retain moisture received from the rains. The statewide average temperature was 73.9 degrees, 1.1 degrees below normal. There were 4.6 days available for fieldwork for the week ending July 10, down 0.7 days from the previous week.

Corn silking was 18% complete in the North, 25% in Central, and 33% in South. Corn rated in good to excellent condition was 75% in the North, 80% in Central, and 61% in South. Early planted corn was reported to be in excellent condition, while later planted corn continue d to show signs of stress. Some corn stands have been knocked down by strong winds. It is unknown if there is any permanent damage at this time. Final applications of fungicide and nitrogen have been applied.

By region, soybeans blooming was 42% in the North, 42% in Central, and 27% in South. Soybeans rated in good to excellent condition was 71% in the North, 81% in Central, and 60% in the South. Weed pressure was high in soybean fields, particularly giant ragweed, marestail, and Canadian thistle. Rain showers have made spraying challenging for some growers. Some soybean fields in the North were reported to look somewhat wilted from high humidity and hot temperatures.

Minnesota: Crop development remains ahead of average for corn, soybeans, and small grains for the week ending July 10, 2016, according to USDA’s NASS. Producers were limited to 4.0 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 2% very short, 7% short, 75% adequate, and 16% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies we re rated 2% very short, 13% short, 74% adequate, and 11% surplus.

Sixteen percent of Minnesota’s corn acreage had begun silking, three days ahead of the five-year average and four days ahead of last year. Corn condition rated 81% good to excellent, up 2 percentage points from the previous week. Forty-eight percent of the soybean crop was blooming or beyond, six days ahead of average but two days behind last year. There were scattered reports of soybeans setting pods. Soybean condition rated 75% good to excellent, up 1 percentage point from the previous week.