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Most states in the western Corn Belt saw warmer, drier conditions last week, which caused soil moisture levels to drop considerably, while parts of the eastern Corn Belt continued to receive much-needed rain.
OMAHA (DTN) -- Warm, dry weather sapped soil moisture throughout much of the western Corn Belt last week, while additional rain in parts of the eastern Corn Belt continued to recharge moisture levels in that region, according to USDA's crop progress report and USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service state crop weather summaries released Monday.
Overall, weather conditions across the Corn Belt proved beneficial to both corn and soybeans. Nationwide, corn condition improved slightly last week, with a 1-percentage-point increase in the excellent rating offset by a 1-percentage-point decrease in the good category, according to the USDA. Soybean condition also improved, with a 2-percentage-point increase in the excellent category offset by a 2-percentage-point decrease in the fair category.
The nation's corn crop continued to develop rapidly last week, with 13 percent of the crop already pollinating, according to USDA's latest weekly crop progress report. This compares to 9 percent of the crop silking at this time last year and a five-year average of 9 percent.
"The ahead-of-average start is an indication that pollination has a good chance to finish up prior to the onset of the hottest segment of the summer in late July and early August," said DTN Ag Meteorologist Bryce Anderson.
"This report could be viewed as neutral to slightly bearish for the market," said DTN Senior Analyst Darin Newsom.
Soybean bloom is also ahead of average, with 19 percent of the crop blooming as of July 1, compared to 17 percent last year and a five-year average of 13 percent.
"This report should be viewed as neutral to bearish for soybeans on Tuesday," said Newsom.
Winter wheat harvest is well behind average at 40 percent complete, compared to a five-year average of 54 percent and last year's 60 percent.
"This report could be viewed as neutral to slightly bullish on Tuesday." Newsom said.
Winter wheat condition stayed about steady, with 10 percent of the crop rated very poor, 15 percent poor, 27 percent fair, 35 percent good and 13 percent excellent. That compares to last week's ratings of 9, 16, 27, 34 and 14 percent, respectively. There were no condition ratings at this time last year as too much of the crop had already been harvested.
The following are highlights from reports issued Monday by individual state's National Ag Statistics Service office.
Above-average temperatures continued across the state last week. Moisture was scarce across most of the state with the exception of heavy rain in the Arkansas River Valley. Topsoil moisture was rated 30 percent very short to short and 70 percent adequate to surplus. Corn was 1 percent silked by the end of the week compared to 3 percent last year and the five-year average of 2 percent. The crop was in mostly good to excellent condition. The winter wheat crop was at 98 percent turning color, 60 percent ripe and 18 percent harvested last week. The wheat crop was rated in mostly good to excellent condition.
Rain continued to fall across the state last week, which helped replenish soil moisture and helped boost corn and soybean growth. Statewide, topsoil moisture was rated 82 percent adequate to surplus last week, an improvement from the previous week's 66 percent adequate-to-surplus rating. The average corn height was at 66 inches, a record for this time of year. Thirty-two percent of corn had silked, just two points behind the previous record set in 2004.
Scattered showers and thunderstorms moved across portions of the state last week, bringing much-needed relief to crops. Corn conditions were rated at 55 percent good to excellent compared with 59 percent last year at this time. Ten percent of the corn acreage had silked compared with 4 percent last year and 7 percent for the five-year average. Fifteen percent of the soybean acreage was blooming compared with 3 percent last year and 10 percent for the five-year average. Soybean conditions were rated 46 percent good to excellent, down from 59 percent last year at this time. Wheat harvesters also made good progress last week.
The state received very little rainfall again last week, and crops in some of the areas of the state were beginning to show stress from drought. Topsoil moisture was rated 29 percent very short to short and 71 percent adequate to surplus across the state. Five percent of the corn was silking compared to 1 percent last year and the five-year average of 1 percent. The average corn height was 51 inches, an increase of 15 inches from the previous week. Corn conditions were rated at 5 percent very poor to poor, 19 percent fair and 76 percent good to excellent. The percentage of soybeans blooming was 27 percent, ahead of last year's 18 percent and the five-year average of 16 percent. Soybean condition was rated 4 percent very poor to poor, 20 percent fair and 76 percent good to excellent.
The state received moderate to heavy amounts of rainfall last week, with the heaviest amounts concentrated in the south-eastern counties. Topsoil moisture was rated 23 percent very short to short and 77 percent adequate to surplus. Ninety-nine percent of the wheat crop was ripe, the same as last year but one point ahead of the five-year average. Fifty-nine percent of wheat was harvested last week, compared to 93 percent last year and 82 percent for the five-year average. Wheat conditions were rated 37 percent very poor to poor, 26 percent fair and 37 percent good to excellent. Twenty-two percent of the corn in the state was silked, compared to 29 percent last year and 23 percent for the five-year average. Corn conditions were rated 6 percent very poor to poor, 23 percent fair and 71 percent good to excellent. Seven percent of soybeans were blooming, compared to 14 percent last year and 11 percent for the five-year average. Soybean conditions were rated 33 percent very poor to poor, 28 percent fair and 67 percent good to excellent.
The state received very little moisture last week, which led to a decline in topsoil moisture supplies. Statewide, topsoil moisture supplies as of Friday were rated 44 percent very short to short and 56 percent adequate to surplus. As of Sunday, July 1, the average height of corn in the state was 54 inches, compared to 31 inches on average. Two percent of corn was silking compared to 1 percent last year and the five-year average of 0 percent. The average height of soybeans was 13 inches, compared to 9 inches on average. Seventy-four percent of corn and 73 percent of soybeans were rated in good-to-excellent condition.
Substantial rains fell across most of the state last week, providing needed moisture for early-planted corn in the silking and pollination stages. However, excessive rain in some areas of the state, especially the west-central and southwest regions, caused some lowland flooding and delayed the wheat harvest. Statewide, topsoil moisture was rated 18 percent very short to short and 82 percent adequate to surplus. The corn crop was 44 percent silked, nearly even with last year and three days ahead of the five-year average of 37 percent. Conditions of the corn crop were rated 8 percent very poor to poor, 27 percent fair and 65 percent good to excellent. Eight percent of soybeans were blooming, nearly even with the five-year average of 9 percent. Soy conditions were rated 9 percent very poor to poor, 34 percent fair and 57 percent good to excellent. The wheat harvest was 67 percent complete, 12 days behind last year and five days behind normal. There were reports of standing water in some fields causing severe lodging, heads to turn gray and grain to sprout in the heads.
A lack of rain prompted many farmers to irrigate their crops last week. Topsoil moisture across the state was rated 35 percent very short to short and 65 percent adequate to surplus. The northwest region of the state continued to be the driest area with precipitation levels 32 percent below normal since April 1. Overall, corn condition in the state was rated 1 percent very poor to poor, 14 percent fair and 85 percent good to excellent, well above last year's 64 percent good or excellent rating. Three percent of corn was silked, the same as last year and ahead of the five-year average of 2 percent. Soybean conditions were rated 2 percent very poor to poor, 16 percent fair and 82 percent good to excellent, well above last year's 57 percent good-to-excellent condition. The percentage of soybeans blooming was 16 percent, behind last year's 20 percent but ahead of the 12-percent average. The wheat harvest was 10 percent complete by the end of the week, well behind last year's 45 percent and 23 percent for the five-average. Wheat conditions were rated 14 percent very poor to poor, 26 fair and 60 percent good to excellent.
The state saw normal temperatures last week, and some parts of the state received significant moisture. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 83 percent adequate to surplus, compared with the five-year average of 71 percent adequate to surplus. Two percent of corn was silking, the same as last year and 1 percentage point ahead of the five-year average of 2 percent. The corn crop was rated 5 percent very poor to poor, 13 percent fair and 82 percent good to excellent.
The state experienced slightly above-average temperatures and below-normal precipitation last week. Topsoil moisture was rated only 25 percent adequate to surplus compared to last year at the same time when topsoil moisture was at 93 percent adequate to surplus. Corn and late-planted soybeans were showing stress from the dry weather and high temperatures throughout the state last week, according to observers. As of Sunday, July 1, 24 percent of soybeans were blooming, seven days ahead of last year and the five-year average. One percent of corn was silked, three days ahead of last year and identical to the five-year average. Sixty-nine percent of the corn acreage was in fair-to-good condition, down from 71 percent last week. Soybean acreage was 68 percent in fair-to-good condition, down from 72 percent last week.
Heavy rain fell across the state last week, causing flooding in many areas. The state averaged 3.60 inches of precipitation last week, with the central district recording the highest total at 5.33 inches. Topsoil moisture was rated 93 percent surplus to adequate, compared to 25 percent at the same time last year. Subsoil moisture was rated 94 percent surplus to adequate, compared to just 16 percent last year. The wheat harvest remained at a standstill in most areas of the state last week due to the rain. According to reports, many wheat fields that hadn't yet been harvested were over-mature and had begun sprouting. Weeds were also beginning to grow in many unharvested fields. The combination of problems led insurance companies to declare more acres as a loss. Fifty-nine percent of the wheat crop had been harvested by Sunday, 40 points behind last year and 37 points behind the five-year average. Forty-seven percent of corn was silking by the end of last week, 5 points ahead of normal. Soybeans were 51 percent planted by the end of last week, 41 points behind normal.
The state received very little precipitation last week, with only a few stations in the western part of the state reporting over 0.1 of an inch of precipitation. Higher temperatures exacerbated already dry conditions in the southwest part of the state, and crops in the eastern part of the state were also starting to show signs of stress, according to extension reports. Statewide, the topsoil moisture rating dropped 11 percentage points to 83 percent adequate to surplus, and the subsoil moisture rating fell 6 percentage points to 84 percent adequate to surplus. Soybean blooming was rated at 14 percent, which was ahead of the five-year average of 8 percent. Corn growth was also ahead of normal, with the average height at 38 inches. Two percent of corn had begun tasseling last week compared to 3 percent last year and the five-year average of 1 percent.
Most areas of the state continued to receive moderate to heavy amounts of moisture last week with heavy flooding in some areas of the state. Central Texas received the majority of rainfall with mostly 2.0 to 10.0 inches of precipitation recorded. The wheat harvest continued full force in the High Plains, while heavy rains slowed harvesters in most other areas of the state. Statewide, wheat conditions were still rated mostly good to excellent. Statewide, corn conditions were rated mostly good to excellent. Sixty-one percent of corn was tasseled, compared to 68 percent last year and the five-year average of 68 percent. Three percent of corn had reached maturity compared to 13 percent last year and 6 percent for the five-year average. The corn crop was rated 9 percent very poor to poor, 24 percent fair and 67 percent good to excellent.
The state experienced another week with little to no rain, which continued to put stress on crops in the driest areas. Statewide, soil moisture conditions were at 67 percent very short to short and 33 percent adequate to surplus. The average height of corn was reported at a record 46 inches, ahead of last year's 35 inches and the five-year average of 29 inches. Corn conditions were rated at 7 percent very poor to poor, 17 percent fair and 76 percent good to excellent. Eleven percent of soybeans were blooming, ahead of last year and the five-year average of 3 percent complete. Soybean conditions saw a slight decline at 72 percent good to excellent, down from last week's 75 percent.
National Crop Progress Summary This Last Last 5-Yr Week Week Year Avg
Corn Silking 13 4 9 9
Soybeans Blooming 19 6 17 13
Winter Wheat Harvested 40 22 62 54
Spring Wheat Headed 61 33 68 49
Sorghum Planted 95 92 97 95
Sorghum Headed 19 17 21 18
Oats Headed 89 74 88 80
Oats Harvested 9 NA 8 9
Barley Headed 67 34 54 42
Cotton Squaring 53 41 61 57
Cotton Setting Bolls 13 7 16 15
Rice Headed 6 4 8 9
National Crop Condition Summary
(VP=Very Poor; P=Poor; F=Fair; G=Good; E=Excellent)
This Week Last Week Last Year
VP P F G E VP P F G E VP P F G E
Corn 2 5 20 53 20 2 5 20 54 19 3 6 23 51 17
Soybeans 2 6 24 53 15 2 6 26 53 13 2 7 27 51 13
Winter Wheat 10 15 27 35 13 9 16 27 34 14 NA NA NA NA NA
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