USDA Weekly Crop Progress

By Anthony Greder
DTN Managing Editor
and
Russ Quinn
DTN Staff Reporter

OMAHA (DTN) -- Spring wheat conditions continued to drop significantly last week, according to USDA's weekly Crop Progress report released Monday. Conditions for corn, soybeans and winter wheat, on the other hand, held mostly steady from the previous week.

USDA estimated that 41% of spring wheat was rated in good-to-excellent condition this week, down 4 percentage points from the previous week's 45%. That resulted in a DTN Spring Wheat Condition Index of 84, down 21 points from the previous week. The DTN index is down from 179 a year ago and is still the lowest since 1988. The report is bullish for spring wheat, said DTN Analyst Todd Hultman.

The condition of U.S. corn, on the other hand, held mostly steady from the previous week. Sixty-seven percent of the corn crop was rated in good-to-excellent condition, the same as the previous week. That resulted in a DTN Corn Condition Index of 161, up 2 points from last week. The index is down from 181 a year ago and is still the lowest in four years. "Monday's report is neutral for corn," Hultman said.

USDA said 96% of U.S. soybeans were planted as of Sunday, June 18, up from 95% a year ago and above the five-year average of 93%. USDA said 89% of U.S. soybeans were emerged, up from 88% a year ago and above the five-year average of 84%. Sixty-seven percent of the soybean crop was rated in good-to-excellent condition, up 1 percentage point from the previous week. That resulted in a DTN Soybean Condition Index of 161, which is down 1 point from the previous week. The index is down from 174 a year ago and is below the four-year average of 170. "Monday's report is neutral for soybeans," Hultman said.

USDA also reported that 97% of winter wheat was headed, down from 99% a year ago, but up from the five-year average of 95% headed. Twenty-eight percent of winter wheat had been harvested as of Sunday, up from 23% a year ago and above the five-year average of 25%. Forty-nine percent of the winter wheat crop was rated in good-to-excellent condition, resulting in a DTN Winter Wheat Condition Index of 120, down 1 point from the previous week. DTN's index is down from 153 a year ago, but above the four-year average of 76. "Monday's new crop rating is neutral for winter wheat," Hultman said.

In other crop reports, cotton was 94% planted, slightly behind the five-year average of 96%. Cotton squaring was 22% compared to the average of 20%. Rice was 98% emerged, compared to 100% on average, and was 5% headed, compared to the five-year average of 6%.

Sorghum was 86% planted, slightly ahead of the five-year average of 85%. Sorghum headed was 17%, slightly behind the average pace of 18%. Barley was 97% emerged, compared to 96% on average, and was 10% headed, compared to 19% on average. Oats were 60% headed, even with the average pace.

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 http://www.nass.usda.gov/…

Colorado

Very warm and dry conditions accelerated crop development last week and allowed field work to progress rapidly. Planting activities are at or approaching completion for the majority of spring crops. Minimal precipitation was received across the state; a few northern counties experienced severe weather with isolated hail earlier in the week. Days suitable for fieldwork was 6.6 days, up from the previous week's 5.8 days. Topsoil moisture was 2% very short, 14% short, 82% adequate and 2% surplus. Subsoil moisture was 1% very short, 11% short, 86% adequate and 2% surplus. Barley emerged was 93% with 100% the five-year average. Barley headed was 22% also the five-year average. Barley crop condition was 20% fair, 80% good to excellent. Corn emerged was 96% with the five-year average 97%. Corn crop condition was 3% poor, 14% fair and 83% good to excellent. Sorghum planted was 85% while the five-year average was 78%. Sorghum emerged was 54% and the five-year average was 38%. Sorghum crop condition was 1% poor, 14% fair and 85% good to excellent. Spring wheat planted was 95% with the five-year average 100%. Spring wheat emerged was 86% with 99% the five-year average. Spring wheat headed was 19% with 33% the five-year average. Spring wheat crop condition was 25% fair and 75% good to excellent. Winter wheat turning color was 64% with 54% the five-year average. Winter wheat mature is 13% also the five-year average. Winter wheat crop condition was 20% very poor to poor, 39% fair and 41% good to excellent.

Illinois

Farmers made good progress on harvesting wheat last week. There were 5.3 days suitable for fieldwork. Statewide, the average temperature was 78.3 degrees, 5.8 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 1.76 inches, 0.79 inch above normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated at 3% very short, 19% short, 72% adequate and 6% surplus. Subsoil moisture supply was rated at 1% very short, 13% short, 83% adequate and 3% surplus. Corn condition was rated at 2% very poor, 8% poor, 31% fair, 46% good and 13% excellent. Soybean planting was 97% complete, compared with the five-year average of 94%. Soybeans emerged was at 92%. Soybean condition was rated 2% very poor, 7% poor, 24% fair, 56% good and 11% excellent. Winter wheat harvest jumped to 65% complete, compared to the five-year average of 24%. Winter wheat condition was rated 5% very poor, 8% poor, 23% fair, 46% good and 18% excellent.

Indiana

Heat and humidity settled in and storms delivered heavy amounts of rain in many areas. Temperatures helped crop growth and wheat ripening. However, some storms were severe enough to leave standing water and some crop damage. The statewide average temperature was 77.3 degrees, 5.7 degrees above normal. Statewide precipitation was 1.77 inches, above average by 0.77 inch. There were 4.3 days available for fieldwork, down 2.4 days from the previous week. Topsoil moisture was 2% very short, 14% short, 63% adequate and 21% surplus. Subsoil moisture was 2% very short, 13% short, 67% adequate and 18% surplus. Corn emerged was 92% with 98% the five-year average. Corn crop condition was 19% very poor, 36% fair and 45% good to excellent. Soybeans planted was 96% with 95% the five-year average. Soybeans emerged was 84% with 88% the five-year average. Soybeans crop condition was 11% very poor to poor, 37% fair and 52% good to excellent. Winter wheat mature was 69%. Winter wheat harvested was 23% with 15% the five-year average. Winter wheat crop condition was 15% very poor to poor, 24% fair and 69% good to excellent.

Iowa

Warm and windy weather with spotty thunderstorms prevailed across Iowa last week. Those isolated storms left some farmers assessing crop damage from strong winds and hail. Statewide there were 5.2 days suitable for fieldwork. Activities for the week included cutting hay, spraying herbicides, nitrogen side-dressing and re-planting. Topsoil moisture levels rated 5% very short, 22% short, 71% percent adequate and 2% surplus. Southwestern Iowa reported the highest levels of topsoil moisture with 96% adequate to surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 3% very short, 15% short, 79% adequate and 3% surplus. Only the northeast and southwest corners of the state saw an increase in subsoil moisture. Many reports mentioned the need for timely rain. Seventy-eight percent of the corn crop was rated in good-to-excellent condition. Soybean emergence reached 92%, five days behind last year but four days ahead of average. Soybean condition rated 74% good to excellent. Oats headed reached 67% this week, four days behind last year. Oat condition rated 77% good to excellent.

Kansas

Rain fell across most of the state last week, with many counties receiving more than 1 inch. Strong winds and localized hail were reported in eastern Kansas. Temperatures averaged 6 to 8 degrees above normal for the week. There were 6.0 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture rated 3% very short, 15% short, 76% adequate and 6% surplus. Subsoil moisture rated 1% very short, 8% short, 86% adequate and 5% surplus. Winter wheat condition rated 9% very poor, 14% poor, 31% fair, 40% good and 6% excellent. Winter wheat coloring was 96%, near 97% last year, but ahead of 90% for the five-year average. Mature was 61%. Harvested was 22%, equal to last year, and near 25% average. Corn condition rated 1% very poor, 6% poor, 32% fair, 52% good and 9% excellent. Corn emerged was 95%, near 99% last year and 98% average. Silking was 4%, near 5% last year, and equal to average. Soybean condition rated 1% very poor, 2% poor, 30% fair, 63% good and 4% excellent. Soybeans planted was 90%, near 87% last year, and ahead of 84% average. Emerged was 78%, ahead of 66% last year and 68% average. Sorghum condition rated 2% poor, 24% fair, 71% good and 3% excellent. Sorghum planted was 77%, behind 82% last year, and near 78% average. Emerged was 44%. Cotton condition rated 2% poor, 15% fair, 79% good and 4% excellent. Cotton planted was 89%, well ahead of 66% last year, and ahead of 83% average. Squaring was 1%, behind 7% last year, and near 3% average. Sunflowers planted was 67%, equal to last year, and near 65% average. Emerged was 32%, behind 41% last year and 38% average.

Michigan

There were 5.2 days suitable for fieldwork in Michigan last week. Week-ending rains recharged soil moisture and provided much needed stress relief to many areas. Other areas did not get enough rain to alleviate extremely dry conditions. Topsoil moisture was 8% very short, 22% short, 48% adequate and 22% surplus. Subsoil moisture was 4% very short, 18% short, 62% adequate and 16% surplus. Corn emerged was 94% with 98% the five-year average. Corn crop condition was 5% very poor to poor, 26% fair and 69% good to excellent. Soybeans planted was 96% with 99% the five-year average. Soybeans emerged was 86% with 92% the five-year average. Soybeans crop condition was 3% very poor to poor, 26% fair and 71% good to excellent. Winter wheat headed was 89% with 96% the five-year average. Winter wheat mature is 13% with 2% the five-year average. Winter wheat crop condition was 7% very poor to poor, 19% fair and 74% good to excellent. Oats planted was 93% with 100% the five-year average, Oats emerged was 85% with 98% the five-year average and oats headed was 25% with 42% the five-year average. Oats crop condition was 5% very poor to poor, 19% fair and 76% good to excellent.

Minnesota

Despite thunderstorms and rainfall throughout the state, Minnesota farmers were able to find 3.8 days suitable for fieldwork last week. Early week rainfall paired with warm, dry conditions towards the end of the week allowed for overall crop advancement. Field activities for the week included planting, spraying and cutting hay. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 1% very short, 7% short, 84% adequate and 8% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 5% short, 86% adequate and 9% surplus. Minnesota's corn condition continued to improve with 81% rated good to excellent. Soybean crop was 97% emerged with crop condition rated 77% good to excellent, down 1% from the previous year. Spring wheat increased to 71% jointed or beyond, bringing it two days ahead of the five-year average. However, spring wheat that had reached the heading stage still fell two days behind average at 22%. Spring wheat condition declined slightly to a rating of 89% good to excellent. Oats continued to progress with 83% at or beyond the jointing stage, with 31% headed or beyond. Oats condition was 82% good to excellent, up 1 percentage point from the previous week. Seventy-eight percent of the barley crop was at or beyond the jointing stage with 17% of the crop headed or beyond. Barley condition rated 89% good to excellent, unchanged from previous week.

Missouri

Temperatures averaged 78.5 degrees, 5.0 degrees above normal last week. Precipitation averaged 1.96 inches statewide, 1.09 inches above normal. There were 4.7 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 1% very short, 14% short, 76% adequate and 9% surplus. Subsoil moisture supply was rated 2% very short, 16% short, 75% adequate and 7% surplus. Corn condition was rated 63% good to excellent. Soybean planting was 92% complete, ahead of 80% for the five-year average, and soybeans emerged progressed to 81%. Soybean condition was rated 63% good to excellent. Cotton squaring reached 14%, compared with 23% for the five-year average. Cotton condition was rated 49% good to excellent. Rice emerged progressed to 96%. Rice condition was rated 68% good to excellent. Sorghum planting was 90% complete. Winter wheat harvest was 52% complete, compared with the five-year average of 33%.

Nebraska

Temperatures averaged 4 to 8 degrees above normal across a majority of the state last week, with the exception of the panhandle, where temperatures were near normal. Rainfall averaged 1 to 2 inches in the eastern half of the state and the northwestern part of the panhandle. The rest of the state remained dry. Severe wind storms passed through eastern counties on Friday evening. There were reports of damage to trees, equipment and farm buildings. There were 5.6 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 6% very short, 31% short, 61% adequate and 2% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 3% very short, 22% short, 74% adequate and 1% surplus. Corn condition was rated 78% good to excellent. Soybeans emerged were 96%, ahead of 93% for the five-year average. Soybean condition was rated 72% good to excellent. Winter wheat coloring was 76%, well ahead of 52% average, and mature was 4%. Winter wheat condition was rated 51% good to excellent. Sorghum planted was 98%, emerged was 91%, and headed was 2%. Sorghum condition was rated 64% good to excellent. Oats headed was 94%, well ahead of 69% average, and coloring was 20%. Oats condition was rated 66% good to excellent.

North Dakota

Temperatures averaged 1 to 3 degrees above normal last week. The eastern half of the state received 1 to 2 inches of rain, which was much needed. The western half of North Dakota was still experiencing dry conditions. There were 4.9 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 18% very short, 25% short, 51% adequate and 6% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 12% very short, 26% short, 57% adequate and 5% surplus. Corn emerged was 98%, ahead of 94% for the five-year average. Corn condition was rated 61% good to excellent. Soybeans emerged were 95%, ahead of 85 average. Soybean condition was rated 58% good to excellent. Winter wheat jointed was 97%, headed was 62% and mature was 1%. Winter wheat condition was rated 40% good to excellent. Spring wheat jointed was 67%, ahead of 57% average, and headed was 9%, behind 14% average. Spring wheat condition was rated 42% good to excellent. Barley emerged was 97%, jointed was 64%, and headed was 8%. Oats emerged was 97%, jointed was 67%, and headed was 18%. Durum wheat jointed was 59%, ahead of 41% average, and headed was 6%. Durum wheat condition was rated 18 good to excellent. Canola emerged was 99% and blooming was 7%, near 11% average. Canola condition was rated 36% good to excellent.

Ohio

Sporadic rainfall was conducive for corn growth and pasture rejuvenation last week. There were five days suitable for fieldwork. Most rains were not excessive and soil moisture levels remained steady. Some parts of the state received over 3 inches of rain where others received none. Statewide, topsoil moisture was rated 17% short, 76% adequate and 7% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 11% short, 81% adequate and 8% surplus. Corn was 96% emerged, slightly behind the average of 98%. Corn condition was rated 52% good to excellent. Soybeans were 96% planted, equal to the average, while 85% of soybeans were emerged, behind the average of 90%. Soybean conditions were rated 58% good to excellent. Winter wheat was 45% mature and 3% harvested as of Sunday, ahead of the average pace of 1% harvested. Oats were 71% headed, well ahead of the average of 61%.

Oklahoma

Dry weather continued across most of the state last week. The east-central and northeast districts received 2.03 and 1.50 inches respectively. Other areas of the state received less than 1 inch of rainfall. Drought condition was rated 21% abnormally dry, up 15 points from last week, and 1% moderate. Statewide temperatures averaged in the low 80s. Topsoil and subsoil moisture conditions were rated mostly adequate to short. There were 6.6 days suitable for fieldwork. Winter wheat harvested reached 77%, up 18 points from normal. Canola harvested reached 74%, unchanged from normal. Rye harvested reached 63%. Oats harvested reached 39%, up 12 points from the previous year and up 1 point from normal. Corn silk reached 16%, up 4 points from normal. Sorghum planted reached 83%, up 9 points from normal. Soybeans planted reached 71%, up 3 points from normal, and soybeans emerged reached 51%, down 1 point from normal. Cotton squaring reached 13%, up 5 points from the previous year and up 5 points from normal.

South Dakota

Showers and thunderstorms early in the week brought much-needed precipitation to parts of the state. Localized damage from wind and hail were reported as some storms turned severe. Rainfall amounts varied significantly. Precipitation in many areas of South Dakota remained below normal for the year. There were 5.1 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 22% very short, 33% short, 43% adequate and 2% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 22% very short, 33% short, 44% adequate and 1% surplus. Winter wheat headed was 98%, ahead of 79% for the five-year average and coloring was 31%, near 28% last year. Winter wheat condition was 18 good to excellent. Spring wheat jointed was 93%, headed was 65% and coloring was 1%. Spring wheat condition was rated only 13% good to excellent. Oats jointed was 94%, headed was 74% and coloring was 15%. Oats condition was rated 35% good to excellent. Barley jointed was 88%, near 84% last year and headed was 55%, ahead of 39% last year. Corn condition was rated 49% good to excellent. Soybeans emerged were 97%, ahead of 88% average. Soybean conditions were rated 48% good to excellent. Sorghum planted was 95%, ahead of 87% average, and emerged was 63%, near 59% average. Sorghum condition was rated 14 good to excellent.

Texas

Areas of the High and Low Plains, the Trans-Pecos and east Texas received up to 1.5 inches of rainfall while the rest of state recorded less than an inch. There were 6.6 days suitable for fieldwork. Statewide, topsoil moisture was rated 11% very short, 38% short, 48% adequate and 3% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 10% very short, 44% short, 55% adequate and 2% surplus. Corn was 53% silked, 18% in the dough stage and 4% dented. Corn condition was rated 74% good to excellent. Cotton was 91% planted, 17% squaring and 6% setting bolls. Rice was 10% headed, equal the average pace. Sorghum was 52% headed, 32% coloring and 6% mature. Soybeans were 90% emerged and 42% blooming, ahead of the average of 23% blooming. Soybean conditions were rated 72% good to excellent. Winter wheat was 74% harvested, well ahead of the average pace of 58%. Oats were 84% harvested, also ahead of the average of 77%.

Wisconsin

Frequent thunderstorms slowed fieldwork last week and left some farmers accessing crop damage and the need to replant. Wind, hail and heavy downpours caused damage to some crops, farm buildings, and ponding in low lying areas. The frequent rains interrupted work on the first cutting of hay and the last of the spring planting. Temperatures were above normal, and crops responded well to the heat and humidity. Statewide, topsoil moisture supplies were rated 4% short, 71% adequate and 25% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 3% short, 75% adequate and 22% surplus. Corn emerged was at 94%, one day ahead of the average. Corn condition was 71% good to excellent. Ninety-six percent of the state's expected soybean acres have been planted, four days ahead of the average. Eighty-four percent of the state's soybeans have emerged, equal to the average. Soybean condition was 78% good to excellent. Oats headed was reported at 22%, seven days behind the average. Oats condition was 81% good to excellent, 3 percentage points above last week. Winter wheat was 80% headed, 11 percentage points behind last year. Winter wheat was 73% in good to excellent condition statewide, 3 percentage points below last week.

National Crop Progress Summary
	This	Last	Last	5-Year
	Week	Week	Year	Avg.
Corn Emerged	98	94	99	98
Soybeans Planted	96	92	95	93
Soybeans Emerged	89	77	88	84
Winter Wheat Headed	97	92	99	95
Winter Wheat Harvested	28	17	23	25
Spring Wheat Headed	15	NA	25	17
Cotton Planted	94	92	94	96
Cotton Squaring	22	15	21	20
Sorghum Planted	86	71	86	85
Sorghum Headed	17	16	17	18
Oats Headed	60	44	66	60
Barley Emerged	97	91	98	96
Barley Headed	10	NA	20	19
Rice Emerged	98	94	100	100
Rice Headed	5	NA	7	6

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	6	25	55	12		2	6	25	57	10		1	3	21	60	15
Soybeans	2	5	26	57	10		1	5	28	57	9		1	4	22	61	12
Winter Wheat	5	11	35	41	8		5	11	34	42	8		2	7	30	49	12
Spring Wheat	9	18	32	35	6		7	13	35	38	7		1	3	20	64	12
Sorghum	1	4	29	61	5		-	2	31	62	5		-	3	27	62	8
Cotton	1	5	33	51	10		1	4	29	54	12		1	7	38	45	9
Barley	4	7	25	49	15		3	4	21	60	12		-	1	22	60	17
Oats	5	11	28	47	9		4	10	29	49	8		1	4	25	60	8
Rice	1	5	24	56	14		2	5	25	52	16		2	5	23	54	16

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