Dryer weather allowed corn conditions to improve after decreasing for two consecutive weeks. Soybean conditions were unchanged, but wheat conditions continue to struggle following the wet June weather. Corn maturation is slightly behind the five-year average, as the crop enters the crucial pollination phase over the next few weeks.
The USDA estimated corn crop conditions in the U.S. as of July 5th, at 69% as “Excellent” or “Good,” a 1% increase from last week and a 6% decrease from last year. 23% of the crop was reported as “Fair,” a 1% decrease from last week and a 3% increase from last year. 8% was rated as “Poor” or “Very Poor”, a 3% increase from last week.
Corn silking was reported at 12% silked, an 8% increase from last year, but 6% behind the five-year average. Of the five largest corn producing states, Illinois reported the most silked at 26%, followed by Indiana at 8%, and Nebraska at 5%. Iowa only reported 2% silked, while Minnesota reported no corn silking. The states are 7% and 6% behind their respective five-year averages.
The soybean crop was reported 96% planted, a 2% increase from last week, but 4% behind the five-year average. Of the five largest soybean producing states, Illinois had the most acres left to plant, reporting 94% completion. Indiana and Nebraska are nearly finished with planting, reporting 97% and 99% completion.
Soybean emergence was reported at 93%, a 4% increase from last week, but 4% behind the five-year average. Of the five largest soybean producing states, Minnesota and Iowa reported the most emergence at 99%.
Soybean blooming was reported at 8%, a 13% increase from last week, and even with the five year average. Of the five largest soybean producing states, Minnesota reported the most at 33%, followed by Nebraska at 29%.
The USDA estimated soybean crop conditions at 63% “Excellent” or “Good,” unchanged from last week, but a 9% decrease from last year. 28% of the crop was rated as “Fair,” unchanged from last week, while 9% of the crop was rated as “Poor” or “Very Poor.”
Winter wheat harvested was reported at 55%, a 17% increase from last week, but 4% behind the five-year average. The winter wheat harvest has progressed after a slow start due to heavy rainfall keeping farmers out of their fields.
The USDA estimated winter wheat conditions at 40% “Excellent” or “Good,” a 1% decrease from last week, but a 9% increase from last year. 37% was rated “Fair,” a 1% increase from last week. 23% was rated “Poor” or “Very Poor,” unchanged from last week, but a 21% decrease from last year.
Spring wheat headed was reported at 79%, a 30% increase from last week and a 29% increase from the five-year average. The above average crop maturation is due to ideal planting conditions, which allowed spring wheat farmers to plant their crop very early.
Spring wheat conditions were reported at 70% “Excellent” or “Good,” a 2% decrease from last week, but even with the five-year average. 24% was rated “Fair,” a 1% increase from last week, and only 6% was rated “Poor” or “Very Poor.”
September futures for corn closed the week at $4.26 per bushel, an 8.7% increase from last week. September soybeans ended the week at $10.15, a 3.2% increase from last week, and September wheat ended the week at $5.95, a 2.1% increase from last week.