USDA Weekly Crop Progress

By DTN Staff

OMAHA (DTN) -- Nine percent of the nation's corn crop was mature as of Aug. 28, according to USDA's latest Crop Progress report released Monday. That's two percentage points ahead of the five-year average. Corn condition held steady at 75% good to excellent.

"DTN's Corn Condition Index stayed unchanged at 180," said DTN Analyst Todd Hultman. "DTN's index was up from 164 a year ago and is well above the five-year average of 120. Monday's report is bearish for corn."

Ninety-two percent of the crop was in the dough stage, compared to 85% last week, 90% last year and a five-year average of 87%. Sixty percent of the corn was dented, compared to 40% last week, 54% last year and a 52% average.

Soybeans were 94% setting pods, compared to 89% last week, 91% last year and 92% for the five-year average. Five percent of the crop has started dropping leaves, compared to 8% last year and a 5% average. Soybean conditions were slightly stronger at 73% good to excellent, compared to last week's 72%.

"There was a 1-point increase in the DTN Soybean Condition Index to 175," Hultman said. "DTN's index is up from 153 a year ago and is well above the five-year average of 129. Monday's report is bearish for soybeans."

Keith Landis of northern Illinois told DTN there have been some problems from an excess of moisture in that area and some other issues are showing too.

"Some corn field ears are browning and beginning to tilt," he said. "Some bean fields are showing signs of sudden death. ... Yield on corn and beans is anyone's guess at this time. The fields of both corn and beans look nice and even; yields will probably vary some depending on when it was planted."

In west-central Minnesota, David Tollefson had these observations: "... the beans are getting yellow and the corn is almost fully dented."

Spring wheat harvest was 81% complete, compared to 65% a week ago, 84% a year ago and 62% five-year average. "Monday's report is neutral for spring wheat," Hultman said.

Cotton setting bolls was reported at 95%, compared to 92% last week, 91% last year and a 94% average. Twenty-three percent of cotton bolls were opening, compared to 16% last week, 20% last year and a 23% average. Cotton condition improved slightly to 48% good to excellent, compared to 47% last week.

Twenty-two percent of the rice crop was harvested, compared to 15% last week, 24% last year and a 21% average. Rice condition decreased to 60% good to excellent compared to 61% last week.

Sorghum was 95% headed, compared to 89% last week, 94% last year and 88% on average. Coloring was reported at 62%, compared to 52% last week, 55% last year and a 51% average. Thirty-three percent of sorghum was mature, compared to 29% last week, 28% last year and a five-year average of 30%. Eighteen percent of the crop is harvested, compared to 19% last year and a 23% average. Sorghum condition held steady from the previous week at 65% good to excellent.

Oats were 95% harvested as of Sunday, compared to 89% last week, 94% last year and an 89% average. Barley harvest was reported at 86% complete, compared to 70% last week, 91% last year and a 67% average.

The following are highlights from weekly crop progress reports issued by National Ag Statistics Service offices in individual states. To view the full reports from each state, visit https://www.nass.usda.gov/…

Colorado

Much of the state experienced cooler temperatures and fall-like weather mid-week. The state had 6.4 days suitable for fieldwork, down from the previous week's 6.7 days. Topsoil moisture is 7% very short, 24% short, 67% adequate and 2% surplus. Subsoil moisture is 6% very short, 20% short, 72% adequate and 2% surplus. Corn dough is 80%, with a 77% as the five-year average. Corn dented is 45% with the five-year average of 32%. Corn silage harvested is 5% with the 8% being the five-year average. Corn crop condition is 3% very poor to poor, 21% fair and 77% good to excellent. Sorghum headed is 92% with 82% being the five-year average. Sorghum turning color is 39% with the five-year average being 36%. Sorghum mature is 1% with a five year average of 4%. Sorghum crop condition is 5% poor, 28% fair and 92% good to excellent. Spring wheat turning color is 94% with 99% being the five-year average. Spring wheat harvested is 36% with 44% being the five-year average. Spring wheat crop condition is 8% fair and 92% good to excellent. Barley harvested is 54% with a five-year average of 63%. Barley crop condition is 14% fair and 86% good to excellent. Winter wheat planted is 1% compared to the five-year average of 2%.

Illinois

Farmers continued getting equipment ready in preparation for fall harvest. There were reports of sudden death syndrome and lodging in some soybean fields. Statewide, the average temperature was 74.5 degrees, 0.9 degree above normal. Precipitation averaged 1.31 inches, 0.54 inch above normal. There were 3.8 days suitable for fieldwork during the week. Topsoil moisture supply was rated at 1% very short, 2% short, 75% adequate and 22% surplus. Subsoil moisture supply was rated at 1% very short, 3% short, 80% adequate and 16% surplus. Corn dough was at 95%, compared to 95% for the five-year average. Corn dented increased to 68% percent, compared to 68% last year. Corn mature was at 7%, compared to 16% for the five-year average. Corn condition was rated 1% very poor, 2% poor, 12% fair, 58% good and 27% excellent. Soybeans setting pods was at 94%, compared to 92% last year. Soybeans coloring was at 7%. Soybean condition was rated 2% very poor, 4% poor, 16% fair, 56% good and 22% excellent.

Indiana

Scattered storms throughout the state increase soil moisture. Storms greatly decreased the days suitable for fieldwork, causing farmers to focus primarily on maintenance of their farms. Tornadoes touched down in different counties creating varying degrees of damage to crops. Farmers reported that tornadoes damaged very little but excessive rain and standing water is hurting the crop. Statewide average temperature was 74.3 degrees, above normal by 1.7 degrees. Statewide precipitation was 1.14 inches, above normal by 0.34 inch. There were 3.7 days available for fieldwork for the week, up 0.9 day from the previous week. Topsoil moisture is 6% short, 74% adequate and 20% surplus. Subsoil moisture is 1% very poor, 9% short, 75% adequate and 15% surplus. Corn dough is 95% with 88% being the five-year average. Corn dented is 62% with 49% being the five-year average. Corn mature is 8% with 7% the five-year average. Corn crop condition is 9% very poor to poor, 24% fair and 68% good to excellent. Soybean setting pods is 94% with 93% the five-year average. Soybeans dropping leaves is 5% which is also the five-year average. Soybeans crop condition is 7% very poor to poor, 18% fair and 75% good to excellent.

Iowa

Above-normal precipitation resulted in just 4.1 days suitable for fieldwork across Iowa last week. Topsoil moisture levels rated 1% very short, 4% short, 83% adequate and 12% surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 1% very short, 7% short, 82% adequate and 10% surplus. Ponding and flooding of some fields were reported in the northern two-thirds of Iowa. Ninety-four percent of the corn crop reached the dough stage or beyond, eight days ahead of the five-year average, with 65% dented or beyond, five days ahead of both last year and normal. Corn was starting to mature, most notably in the southern third of the state. Corn condition rated 83% good to excellent despite some reports of crop damage from heavy rain and wind during the week. Soybeans setting pods reached 96%, four days ahead of last year. Thirteen percent of soybeans have started to turn color, three days ahead of last year's pace. Soybean condition rated 82% good to excellent, although there were reports of sudden death and white mold in some soybean fields. Oats harvested for grain or seed was virtually complete.

Kansas

Cool, wet conditions dominated the weather pattern last week. There were 4.4 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture rated 4% very short, 13% short, 75% adequate and 8% surplus. Subsoil moisture rated 3% very short, 15% short, 78% adequate and 4% surplus. Corn condition rated 1% very poor, 6% poor, 25% fair, 56% good and 12% excellent. Corn dough was 92%, equal to last year and near the five-year average of 93%. Dented was 64%, near 63% last year and equal to average. Mature was 15%, near 14% last year, but behind 23% average. Soybean condition rated 1% very poor, 4% poor, 27% fair, 55% good and 13% excellent. Soybeans blooming was 96%, near 94% last year and 95% average. Setting pods was 82%, near 78% last year and 79% average. Dropping leaves was 2%, near 5% last year and 4% average. Sorghum condition rated 1% very poor, 3% poor, 22% fair, 59% good and 15% excellent. Sorghum headed was 96%, near 94% last year, and ahead of 85% average. Coloring was 50%, ahead of 42% last year, and well ahead of 30%. Mature was 3%, near 2% both last year and average. Cotton condition rated 1% very poor, 2% poor, 29% fair, 64% good and 4% excellent. Cotton squaring was 93%, equal to last year, and near 97% average. Setting bolls was 65%, behind 74% last year and 77% average. Bolls opening was 7%, near 8% last year and 10% average.

Michigan

There were 4.5 days suitable for fieldwork in Michigan last week. Topsoil moisture is 4% very short, 14% short, 65% adequate and 17% surplus. Subsoil moisture is 7% very short, 23% short, 64% adequate and 6% surplus. All-around crop improvement had been noted across the state as widespread, scattered rain showers had revitalized many crops and pasture lands. Corn dough is 78% with 77% being the five-year average. Corn dented is 33% with 27% the five-year average. Corn crop condition is 14% very poor to poor, 28% fair and 58% good to excellent. Soybean blooming 95% with the five-year of 100%. Soybeans setting pods 87% with 94% being the five-year average. Soybeans crop condition is 10% very poor to poor, 26% fair and 64% good to excellent.

Minnesota

Periodic rainfall kept field conditions fairly damp, limiting Minnesota farmers to 4.3 days suitable for fieldwork last week. There were some reports of disease in soybeans, particularly across southern Minnesota. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 0% very short, 2% percent short, 76% percent adequate and 22% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 0% very short, 3% short, 77% adequate and 20% surplus. Fifty-eight percent of the corn acreage was in or beyond the dent stage, six days ahead of the five-year average. Corn condition rated 85% good to excellent. Twelve percent of the soybean crop was turning color, two days behind the average and five days behind last year. Soybean condition rated 80% good to excellent. Eighty-eight percent of the spring wheat acreage had been harvested, 11 days ahead of average, but a week behind last year. Ninety-three percent of the oat crop for grain was harvested, three days ahead of average, but three days behind last year. Barley harvest is nearing completion, with 96% of the crop harvested.

Missouri

Northwestern Missouri received more rain compared to the rest of the state last week. Temperatures averaged 75.6 degrees, 0.5 degree below normal. Precipitation averaged 1.42 inches statewide, 0.60 inch above normal. Statewide, topsoil moisture supply was rated 2% very short, 7% short, 77% adequate and 14% surplus. Subsoil moisture supply was rated 2% very short, 7% short, 83% adequate, and 8% surplus. Corn dough reached 97%, dented reached 79% and mature reached 21%, 8 percentage points behind the five-year average. Corn harvested for grain reached 2%, compared to 9% for the five-year average. Corn condition was rated 76% good to excellent. Soybeans blooming reached 95%, and setting pods progressed to 84%, 6 percentage points ahead of the five-year average. Soybean condition was rated 73% good to excellent. Cotton setting bolls reached 83%, compared to 95% for the five-year average. Sorghum mature reached 7%.

Nebraska

Temperatures last week averaged 2 to 4 degrees below normal. Precipitation of an inch or more was limited to the southern border counties and portions of the extreme east. Much of the State remained dry. The cooler temperatures reduced crop moisture demands. Statewide, topsoil moisture supplies were rated 8% very short, 32% short, 57% adequate and 3% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 7% very short, 30% short, 61% adequate and 2% surplus. Corn dough was 95%, dented was 61% and mature was 5%, slightly behind the average pace of 7% mature. Corn condition was rated 75% good to excellent. Sorghum coloring was 74% and mature was 2%. Sorghum condition was rated 83% good to excellent. Soybeans setting pods was 96% and dropping leaves was 8%, ahead of 4% average. Soybean conditions were rated 77% good to excellent. Winter wheat planted was 1%, equal to average.

North Dakota

Temperatures averaged below normal in the southern half of the state and near normal in the north last week. Little to no rain was received during the week, except for portions of east-central North Dakota, which recorded an inch or more. Statewide, topsoil moisture supplies were rated 4% very short, 17% short, 69% adequate and 10% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 5% very short, 15% short, 70% adequate and 10% surplus. Durum wheat mature was 89% and harvested was 55%, well ahead of 36% harvested for the five-year average. Spring wheat harvested was 82%, well ahead of 55% average. Barley harvested was 90%, well ahead of 66% average. Oats harvested was 91%, well ahead of 63% average. Corn dough was 84%, dented was 41% and mature was 1%, near the average of 2% mature. Corn condition was rated 78% good to excellent. Soybeans setting pods was 98% and dropping leaves was 13%, near 12% average. Soybean conditions were rated 74% good to excellent. Canola harvested was 57%, ahead of 39% average.

Ohio

The state received varied amounts of rain along with strong winds and tornadoes that caused limited damage last week. The week started off dry. Scattered rains moved in by mid-week and lingered through the weekend. Western and northeastern portions of the state benefitted most. Statewide, topsoil moisture was rated 8% very short, 27% short, 58% adequate and 7% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 11% very short, 29% short, 56% adequate and 4% surplus. Corn in the dough stage was 86%, dented was 44% and mature was 4%. Corn harvested for silage was 4%. Corn condition was rated 45% good to excellent. Soybeans were 95% setting pods and 4% dropping leaves. Soybean conditions were rated 54% good to excellent.

Oklahoma

A cold front brought rain to northwest Oklahoma but left the rest of the state very dry. Temperatures ranged from 48 degrees at Bristow on Aug. 22 to 101 degrees at Beaver on Aug. 23. Precipitation ranged from 0.17 inch in the south-central district to 2.12 inches in the west-central district. Statewide, topsoil moisture was rated 7% very short, 32% short, 59% adequate and 2% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 5% very short, 28% short, 65% adequate and 2% surplus. Corn dough reached 86%, dented reached 64% and mature reached 28%, down 4 points from normal. Corn condition was rated 74% good to excellent. Sorghum headed reached 90%, coloring reached 51%, mature reached 17% and harvested reached 1%, down 2 points from normal harvested. Soybeans blooming reached 77%, setting pods reached 65% and dropping leaves reached 7%, up 7 points from normal. Soybean conditions were rated 67% good to excellent. Cotton setting bolls reached 81%, and bolls opening reached 9%, down 5 points from normal.

South Dakota

Warm weather continued to affect pasture and range conditions last week. Major field activities included cutting silage and preparing for winter wheat seeding. Statewide, topsoil moisture supplies were rated 10% very short, 28% short, 61% adequate and 1% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 10% very short, 34% short, 55% adequate and 1% surplus. Corn dough was 91%, ahead of 88% for the five-year average, and dented was 45%, ahead of 39% average. Corn mature was 5%, near 3% average. Corn condition was rated 52% good to excellent. Spring wheat harvested was 91%, near 87% average. Soybeans setting pods was 96%, near 95% average, and dropping leaves was 14%, also near 12% average. Soybean conditions were rated 59% good to excellent. Barley harvested was 93%, ahead of 80% average. Sorghum coloring was 53%, and mature was 8%, ahead of 2% average. Sorghum condition was rated 54% good to excellent.

Texas

Scattered showers were received around the state last week. Areas of the Upper Coast and the Trans-Pecos saw the greatest amount of precipitation, with some areas recording as much as 8 to 10 inches. The High Plains, southeast Texas, and the Upper Coast experienced between 2 to 4 inches of rainfall. Portions of the Cross Timbers and the Coastal Bend received little or no precipitation. Statewide, topsoil moisture was rated 9% very short, 24% short, 56% adequate and 11% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 9% very short, 28% short, 55% adequate and 8% surplus. Corn was 74% dented, 65% mature and 56% harvested as of Sunday, slightly ahead of the average pace of 53% harvested. Cotton was 95% setting bolls, 22% bolls opening and 6% harvested, near the average of 7% harvested. Rice was 82% harvested, 10 percentage points ahead of average. Sorghum was 47% harvested, behind the average of 58%. Soybeans were 88% setting pods, 43% dropping leaves and 17% harvested, behind the average of 20% harvested.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin once again experienced near-normal temperatures, muggy conditions and scattered showers last week. Statewide, topsoil moisture supplies were rated 1% very short, 4% short, 81% adequate and 14% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 1% very short, 4% short, 83% adequate and 12% surplus. As Sunday, 85% of the state's corn acreage was in or beyond the dough stage, 50% of corn was dented and 3% of corn was reported mature. Corn for silage was 3% harvested. Corn condition was 87% good to excellent. Ninety-eight percent of the state's soybean acreage was setting pods or beyond. Leaves were turning color on 10% of soybeans, and 2% of soybeans were dropping leaves. Soybean condition was rated 86% good to excellent. Oats for grain were 94% harvested, nine days ahead of the average.

National Crop Progress Summary
	This	Last	Last	5-Yr
	Week	Week	Year	Avg
Corn Dough	92	85	90	87
Corn Dent	60	40	54	52
Corn Mature	9	NA	8	11
Soybeans Setting Pods	94	89	91	92
Soybeans Dropping Leaves	5	NA	8	5
Spring Wheat Harvested	81	65	84	62
Cotton Setting Bolls	95	92	91	94
Cotton Bolls Opening	23	16	20	23
Sorghum Headed	95	89	94	88
Sorghum Coloring	62	52	55	51
Sorghum Mature	33	29	28	30
Sorghum Harvested	18	NA	19	23
Oats Harvested	95	89	94	89
Barley Harvested	86	70	91	67
Rice Harvested	22	15	24	21

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	18	54	21		2	5	18	54	21		3	7	22	49	19
Soybeans	2	5	20	55	18		2	5	21	54	18		3	8	26	48	15
Spring Wheat	3	6	25	56	10		2	6	24	58	10		2	6	22	55	15
Sorghum	1	5	29	52	13		1	6	28	52	13		2	5	25	56	12
Cotton	4	12	36	39	9		4	14	35	39	8		3	8	35	45	9
Rice	5	8	27	47	13		2	9	26	48	13		2	4	28	48	18

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