The USDA corn conditions were estimated 73% in “Good” or “Excellent” condition, a 1% increase from last week, but a 14% increase from last year. 20% was considered “Fair”, unchanged from last week, while only 7% was considered “Poor” or “Very Poor.” Of the Corn Belt states, Illinois had the most corn rated “Excellent” at 30%, followed by Iowa and Indiana with 24% and 22% respectively. Corn doughing was reported at 83%, a 13% increase from last week and 5% ahead of the five-year average. Corn dented was reported at 35%, a 13% increase from the previous week, but 8% behind the five-year average. Of the five largest corn producing states, Illinois reported the most dented corn at 48%, followed by Nebraska and Indiana with 44% and 41% respectively.
Soybean conditions were reported with 70% of the crop in “Good” or “Excellent” condition, a 1% decrease from last week, but a 12% increase from last year. 23% was reported in “Fair” condition, unchanged from the previous week, while only 7% was reported as “Poor” or “Very Poor.” Of the five largest soybean producing states, Illinois and Iowa had the most crop rated “Excellent,” at 23% and 22% respectively. Soybeans setting pods were reported at 90%, a 7% increase from last week and 1% ahead of the five-year average. Of the five largest soybean producing states, Nebraska had the most soybeans setting pods at 95%, Minnesota had the least at 92%.
Spring wheat conditions were reported with 66% of the crop in “Good” or “Excellent” condition, a 2% decrease from last week, and a 1% increase from last year. 28% was reported in “Fair” condition, a 2% increase from the previous week, while only 6% was reported as “Poor” or “Very Poor.” The spring wheat harvest is under way, with 27% of the crop reported harvested. That is a 10% increase from the previous week, but 12% behind the five-year average.