USDA Weekly Crop Progress

Soybean, Spring Wheat Conditions Drop

(DTN photo illustration by Nick Scalise)

OMAHA (DTN) -- Soybean and spring wheat conditions dropped last week, while corn conditions held steady from the previous week, according to USDA's weekly Crop Progress report released Monday.

This week's crop progress report showed 4% of U.S. corn was silking, down from 5% a year ago and down from the five-year average of 5% silking. 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, unchanged from last week, said DTN Analyst Todd Hultman. DTN's index is down from 180 a year ago and matched the lowest value in four years. "Monday's report is neutral for corn," Hultman said.

USDA said 94% of U.S. soybeans were emerged, even with a year ago and above the five-year average of 91%. Nine percent of soybeans were blooming, up from 8% a year ago and above the five-year average of 7%. Sixty-six percent of the soybean crop was rated in good-to-excellent condition, down one percentage point from the previous week. That resulted in a DTN Soybean Condition Index of 158, which is down 3 points from the previous week. The index is down from 173 a year ago and is below the four-year average of 167. "Monday's report is neutral-to-bullish for soybeans," Hultman said.

USDA also reported that 41% of winter wheat was harvested as of Sunday, down slightly from 42% a year ago, but above the five-year average of 39%. Forty-nine percent of the winter wheat crop was rated in good-to-excellent condition, resulting in a DTN Winter Wheat Condition Index of 122, up 2 points from a week ago. DTN's index is down from 156 a year ago, but above the four-year average of 76. "Monday's harvest progress and new crop rating is neutral for winter wheat," Hultman said.

Meanwhile, spring wheat was 36% headed, down from 52% a year ago, but slightly above the five-year average of 35%. Forty percent of spring wheat was rated in good-to-excellent condition, down one percentage point from the previous week's 41%. That resulted in a DTN Spring Wheat Condition Index of 81, down 3 points from a week ago. The index is down from 171 a year ago and is still the lowest since 1988. "Monday's report remains bullish for spring wheat," Hultman said.

In other crop reports, cotton was 98% planted, near the five-year average of 99%. Cotton squaring was 34%, ahead of the average of 30%. Cotton setting bolls was 7%, ahead of the average of 5%. Rice was 9% headed, slightly behind the five-year average of 11%.

Sorghum headed was 20%, slightly behind the average pace of 22%. Barley headed was 27%, well behind the average pace of 38%. Oats were 73% headed, near the average pace of 74%.

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

Record-high temperatures along with windy conditions observed across Colorado this past week led to a decline in soil moisture conditions. Cooler weather late in the week with isolated precipitation helped mitigate heat in eastern counties. Crops sustained significant growth and development this past week, while the dry weather allowed producers to focus on cutting hay and finishing up planting. Southeastern counties reported localized severe weather with high winds, damaging hail and tornadic activity. A reporter noted in Moffat and Routt counties that alfalfa freeze-damaged two weeks ago was reported by producers to have sustained heavy losses. Barley in the San Luis Valley was also reported to show some previous freeze damage. Livestock and pasture conditions are reportedly in good shape, although those areas that did not see as much moisture this spring are more distressed with recent dry weather. Development of winter wheat was ahead of last year and the average, with harvest just beginning in a few eastern and southeastern counties. Stored feed supplies were rated 5% short, 83% adequate, and 12% surplus. Cattle death loss was 74% average and 2% light. Topsoil moisture: 3% very short; 15% short; 78% adequate; 4% surplus. Subsoil moisture: 3% short, 13% very short, 81% adequate; 3% surplus.

Illinois

Producers were able to make significant progress planting corn over the past week. There were 4.7 days suitable for fieldwork. Statewide, the average temperature was 58.5 degrees, 3.4 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 0.43 inch, 0.48 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated at 6% short, 86% adequate and 8% surplus. Subsoil moisture supply was rated at 7% short, 87% adequate and 6% surplus.

Indiana

Many farmers were able to get a good start with planting last week. The week started with warm and dry weather, creating ideal soil conditions. Later, there were spotty showers that didn't yield much rain but cooler temperatures were cause for some concern. Average temperatures were 59.3 degrees, 5.1 degrees above normal for the state. The amounts of rainfall varied from zero to 4.25 inches over the week. There were 4.1 days available for fieldwork. Regionally, corn was 7% planted in the north, 15% in central and 34% in the south. By region, winter wheat jointed was 29% in the north, 43% in central, and 78% in the south. Soybean planting has also started and mint planting is nearing completion. Weather had slowed planting in some areas but progress continued. Pastures and livestock were reported on average to be in good condition. Other activities for the week included spraying burndown and other herbicides, application of dry fertilizers, indoor activities, delivery of stored grain to market and visiting FSA offices. Topsoil moisture: 1% very short; 4% short; 74% adequate; 21% surplus. Subsoil moisture: 1% very short; 6% short; 79% adequate; 14% surplus.

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Iowa

Iowa experienced below-normal temperatures across the state with mostly isolated precipitation. Statewide, there were 5.3 days suitable for fieldwork. Activities for the week included herbicide application, side-dressing, cultivating and haying. Topsoil moisture: 5% very short, 23% short, 70% adequate and 2% surplus. Southeast Iowa's topsoil moisture levels continued to fall with 78% rated short to very short. Subsoil moisture: 3% very short, 15% short, 79% adequate and 3% surplus. Soybean emergence is 5 days behind last year but four days ahead of the five-year average. Oats headed are four days behind last year but equal to average. Oats coloring are four days behind last year and three days behind average. The second cutting of alfalfa hay reached 10% complete, five days behind average.

Kansas

Winter wheat harvest was in full swing across Kansas last week. Temperatures averaged within a degree or two of normal in most counties. Rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches fell across the western third of Kansas, while lighter amounts fell in the central and eastern two-thirds of the state. There were 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture: 2% very short, 14% short, 79% adequate, and 5% surplus. Subsoil moisture: 1% very short, 9% short, 86% adequate, and 4% surplus.

Michigan

There were 2.5 days suitable for fieldwork in Michigan last week. Intermittent rainfall throughout the state kept fieldwork at bay for yet another week in many areas. The accumulation of precipitation over the past several weeks left many fields saturated. Some producers were able to complete some spring fieldwork despite the substantial precipitation, especially on well-drained, lighter soils. Where possible, fields were being prepared for planting and a few producers were able to plant some sugarbeets, oats, and corn before rains halted progress. The winter wheat began to show signs of extreme moisture stress in low lying areas, but seemed to be progressing well. Topsoil moisture: 0% very short; 1% short; 40% adequate; 59% surplus. Subsoil moisture: 0% very short; 1% short; 46% adequate; 53% surplus. Continued warm temperatures across the state kept fruit crop development at an even pace in the west central and southwest regions, but cooler overnight temperatures in the northwest slowed tree fruit development. Rain events over the past two weeks compelled growers across the state to monitor for apple scab infections and other diseases. Growers continued to apply fertilizer, prune trees and clear brush as weather permitted.

Minnesota

Mostly dry weather allowed for 4.8 days suitable for fieldwork last week. Crop stages advanced well despite the cooler-than-normal temperatures. Field activities for the week included sidedressing corn, applying herbicides and cutting small grain hay. Topsoil moisture: 1% very short, 8% short, 84% adequate and 7% surplus. Subsoil moisture: 0% very short, 5% short, 86% adequate and 9% surplus. Potato condition was rated 91% good to excellent. Sugarbeet condition rated 66% good to excellent. The first cutting of alfalfa hay was nearly finished at 9% complete, and second cutting progressed to 19% complete. All hay condition had no change from the previous week at 83% good to excellent. Likewise, pasture condition rated similar to last week with 78% good to excellent.

Missouri

Cooler temperatures and clear skies helped farmers make good progress harvesting wheat last week. Temperatures averaged 73.3 degrees, 1.7 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 0.42 inch statewide, 0.69 inch below normal. There were 5.2 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 15% short, 80% adequate and 5% surplus. Subsoil moisture supply was rated 1% very short, 13% short, 82% adequate and 4% surplus. Corn silking progressed to 6%, 12 points behind last year. Corn condition was rated 1% very poor, 5% poor, 28% fair, 57% good and 9% excellent. Soybean planting was 96% complete, compared to 95% last year and 87% for the five-year average. Soybeans emerged progressed to 89% and soybean blooming is at 7%. Soybean condition was rated 1% very poor, 5% poor, 30% fair, 55% good and 9% excellent. Cotton squaring reached 24%. Cotton condition was rated 12% poor, 39% fair, 43% good and 6% excellent. Rice condition was rated 4% poor, 27% fair, 44% good and 25% excellent. Sorghum planting was 96% complete. Winter wheat harvest was 76% complete, up 24 points from last week.

Nebraska

Temperatures averaged near normal last week. A few southern counties received half an inch to an inch of rain; however, much of the state remained dry. The dry conditions allowed winter wheat harvest to begin. There were 6.6 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 14% very short, 42% short and 44% adequate. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 7% very short, 33% short and 60% adequate. Corn condition was rated 74% good to excellent. Soybeans blooming was 7%, equal to last year and near 8% for the five-year average. Soybean condition was rated 70% good to excellent. Winter wheat coloring was 92%, ahead of 76% average. Mature was 27%. Harvested was 1%, behind 8% average. Sorghum emerged was 97%, ahead of 92% average, and headed was 3%, near zero percent average. Oats headed was 97%, ahead of 85% average, and coloring was 52%, ahead of 46% last year. Oats condition was rated 57% good to excellent.

North Dakota

Dry conditions persisted over much of the state as little to no rain was received last week. Some isolated areas in the northern and eastern portions of North Dakota received up to half an inch of moisture. The southwestern third of the state received no rainfall, which caused continued stress to emerged crops. Temperatures for the week averaged 2 to 6 degrees below normal. There were 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 22% very short, 31% short, 44% adequate and 3% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 16% very short, 30% short, 50% adequate and 4% surplus. Corn condition was rated 56% good to excellent. Soybeans blooming was 1%, behind 6% for the five-year average. Soybean condition was rated 53% good to excellent. Winter wheat headed was 78%, behind 89% last year, and mature was 17%. Winter wheat condition was rated 35% good to excellent. Spring wheat jointed was 82%, ahead of 72% average. Headed was 33%, equal to average. Spring wheat condition was rated 39% good to excellent. Barley jointed was 80%, ahead of 73% average. Headed was 30%, near 31% average. Coloring was 1%. Barley condition 45% good to excellent. Oats jointed was 79%, near 76% average. Headed was 33%, equal to average. Coloring was 3%. Durum wheat jointed was 84%, well ahead of 57% average. Headed was 22%, well behind 43%. Durum wheat condition was rated 24 good to excellent. Canola blooming was 33%, near 35% average. Canola condition was rated 39% good to excellent.

Ohio

Rainy weather and warmer temperatures brought relief to many areas of the state. There were 4.4 days suitable for fieldwork. Remnants of Tropical Storm Cindy brought a lot of rain to many parts of the state. Statewide, topsoil moisture was rated 8% short, 71% adequate and 21% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 7% short, 77% adequate and 16% surplus. Corn silking was 1%, even with the five-year average. Corn condition was rated 58% good to excellent. Soybeans were 96% emerged and 1% blooming, slightly behind the average of 3% blooming. Soybean conditions were rated 60% good to excellent. Winter wheat was 74% mature and 10% harvested, ahead of the average of 7% harvested. Oats were 86% headed, ahead of the average of 79% headed.

Oklahoma

Precipitation levels averaged less than half of an inch across the state with no districts reporting more than one inch. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 27% of the state was classified as abnormally dry, up 5 percentage points from last week. Three percent was in the moderate drought category, up 2 percentage points from last week. Statewide temperatures averaged in the high 80s. Topsoil and subsoil moisture conditions were rated mostly adequate to short. There were 6.2 days suitable for fieldwork. Winter wheat harvested reached 90%, up 11 points from normal. Canola harvested reached 90%, up 1 point from normal. Rye harvested reached 80%. Oats headed reached 94%, unchanged from normal. Oats harvested reached 58%, down 2 points from the previous year but unchanged from normal. Corn silk reached 23%, down 2 points from normal. Sorghum planted reached 95%, up 11 points from normal. Sorghum headed reached 1%, down 2 points from normal. Soybeans planted reached 85%, up 9 points from normal. Soybeans emerged reached 70%, up 6 points from normal. Cotton squaring reached 20%, up 9 points from the previous year and up 5 points from normal.

South Dakota

Crop condition ratings declined slightly for all commodities following a mostly dry week. The condition of range and pasturelands were also rated lower as drought conditions persisted in many areas of South Dakota. Below-normal temperatures were recorded across much of the east as overnight lows fell into the mid- to low-30s Sunday morning. There were 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 28% very short, 35% short, 35% adequate and 2% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 28% very short, 32% short, 39% adequate and 1% surplus. Winter wheat coloring was 68%, near 71% last year, and mature was 6%. Winter wheat condition was rated 10 good to excellent. Spring wheat jointed was 99% and headed was 85%, well ahead of 58% for the five-year average. Coloring was 17%. Spring wheat condition was rated 12% good to excellent. Oats jointed was 98%, headed was 87% and coloring was 23%. Mature was 1%. Barley jointed was 96%, headed was 74% and coloring was 2%. Corn condition was rated 46% good to excellent. Soybeans blooming was 6%, near 5% average. Soybean condition was rated 39% good to excellent. Sorghum emerged was 87%, ahead of 76% average. Sorghum condition was rated 10% good to excellent.

Texas

Hot temperatures affected most of the state. Temperatures as high as 115 degrees were measured in the Trans Pecos. Rainfall varied across the state. East Texas, central Texas and the panhandle received the most rainfall, averaging between 1 inch and 2 inches of precipitation, with isolated areas in east Texas reporting upwards 5 inches of rain. There were 6 days suitable for fieldwork. Statewide, topsoil moisture was rated 15% very short, 40% short, 39% adequate and 6% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 11% very short, 35% short, 50% adequate and 4% surplus. Corn was 56% silked, 40% in the dough stage and 25% dented, ahead of the average pace of 18% dented. Cotton was 97% planted, 29% squaring and 9% setting bolls. Rice was 29% headed, ahead of the average of 23%. Sorghum was 59% headed, 41% coloring, 22% mature and 4% harvested. Soybeans emerged were 95% and blooming were 50%, well ahead of the average pace of 33%. Winter wheat harvested was 87%, ahead of the average of 73%. Oats harvested were 90%, ahead of the average of 88%.

Wisconsin

Frequent rains kept soil moistures high last week. Cooler temperatures slowed crop development in some areas. Nitrogen and herbicide applications were prevented by muddy conditions in many areas. There were scattered reports of drowned out areas and corn yellowing in low spots. Corn emerged was at 98%, eight days behind last year, but five days ahead of the average. Corn condition was 69% good to excellent, 2 percentage points below last week. Ninety-nine percent of the state's expected soybean acres have been planted. Ninety-four percent of the state's soybeans have emerged, eight days behind last year but two days ahead of the average. Soybean condition was 74% good to excellent, 4 percentage points below last week. Oats headed was reported at 48%, seven days behind last year, and four days behind the average. Oats coloring was reported at 3% complete. Oats condition was 79% good to excellent, 2 percentage points below last week. Winter wheat was 93% headed, four days behind last year. Winter wheat coloring was reported at 39%, four days behind last year. Winter wheat was 76 percent in good-to-excellent condition statewide, 3 percentage points above of last week.

National Crop Progress Summary
This Last Last 5-Year
Week Week Year Avg.
Corn Silking 4 NA 5 5
Soybeans Emerged 94 89 94 91
Soybeans Blooming 9 NA 8 7
Winter Wheat Harvested 41 28 42 39
Spring Wheat Headed 36 15 52 35
Cotton Planted 98 94 98 99
Cotton Squaring 34 22 28 30
Cotton Setting Bolls 7 NA 6 5
Sorghum Planted 95 86 94 93
Sorghum Headed 20 17 25 22
Oats Headed 73 60 81 74
Barley Headed 27 10 50 38
Rice Headed 9 5 15 11
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 55 12 1 4 20 59 16
Soybeans 2 6 26 56 10 2 5 26 57 10 1 4 23 60 12
Winter Wheat 4 12 35 40 9 5 11 35 41 8 2 7 29 48 14
Spring Wheat 10 18 32 33 7 9 18 32 35 6 1 4 23 62 10
Sorghum 1 3 31 57 8 1 4 29 61 5 - 3 27 61 5
Cotton 1 9 33 46 11 1 5 33 51 10 1 7 36 46 10
Barley 4 8 28 42 18 4 7 25 49 15 - 2 23 60 15
Oats 6 12 28 45 9 5 11 28 47 9 2 6 25 56 11
Rice 1 4 22 50 23 1 5 24 56 14 2 5 24 54 15

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