Corn, Soybean Ratings Moe UP, USDA Says Both Remain Behind Five-Year Averages.

(Agriculture.com) DES MOINES, Iowa —  The U.S. corn and soybean crop conditions improve vs. a week ago, according to the USDA’s weekly Crop Progress Report released Monday.

CORN

The overall condition of the corn crop is rated at 57% good to excellent in the top 18 corn producing states, slightly above 56% a week ago and below 68% a year ago.

The USDA pegged 71% of the corn has entered the dough stage vs. a 87% five-year average.

USDA rated the crop in the dent stage at 27% vs. 46% five-year average.

For folks keeping track at home, the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) reported, Monday, that Texas farmers have harvested 45% of their corn crop vs. 52% a year ago and a 50% five-year average.

Mississippi farmers have 24% of their corn crop picked vs. 36% a year ago and a 37% five-year average. Also, Arkansas farmers have harvested 9% of their 2019 corn vs. 13% a year ago and an 18% five-year average.

SOYBEANS

The nation’s crop is rated 55% good/excellent compared with 53% a week ago and 66% a year ago.

Also, 94% of the soybean crop is blooming vs. a 99% five-year average.

The USDA pegged the amount of soybeans setting pods at 79%, well below a five-year average of 91%.

WHEAT

Meanwhile, the U.S. spring wheat harvest is rated as 38% complete vs. a 65% five-year average.