News

Corn, soybean development still slow

Planting delays earlier in the year and variable weather this summer continue to keep corn and soybean development slower than average.

As of Sunday, USDA states that 76% of corn is silking, compared to 89% for the five year average, and 14% is at the dough making stage, compared to 29% on average. For soybeans, 76% are blooming, compared to 86% on average, and 36% is at the pod setting stage, compared to 54% for the five year average.

However, both crops remain in much better than a year ago condition with 68% of corn in good to excellent shape and 67% of beans in good to excellent condition.

This year’s winter wheat harvest is also slower than normal at 85%, compared to the five year average of 90%. The spring wheat harvest is just getting underway at 3% with 71% of the crop in good to excellent shape.

49% of U.S. pastures and rangelands are in good to excellent condition, down 1% from last week but up 7% from last year.