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Corn, beans in very good shape but developing slowly

This year’s corn and soybean crops are in very good condition but continue to show the effects of the late start to planting. However, following an improved weather pattern in some areas, soybeans are closer than corn to last year’s development pace.

As of Sunday, 97% of soybeans are blooming, compared to 99% on the five year average, and 85% are setting pods, compared to 92% on average.

For corn, 57% is at the dough making stage, compared to 79% on average and 18% has dented, compared to the five year average of 43%.

70% of corn is in good to excellent condition, up 2% from last week and 69% of soybeans are in good to excellent shape, 3% more than a week ago.

The slow pace of crop development is also having an effect on the spring wheat harvest with 22% harvested as of Sunday compared to 66% on average.

The winter wheat harvest is 97% complete, compared to the five year average of 98%.

52% of U.S. pastures and rangelands are in good to excellent condition, up 2% from a week ago and 13% more than a year ago.