USDA Weekly Crop Progress

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

OMAHA (DTN) -- Corn, soybean and spring wheat conditions all dropped slightly last week, according to USDA's weekly Crop Progress report released Monday.

Sixty-four percent of corn was rated good to excellent last week, down from 65% the previous week. That resulted in a DTN Corn Condition Index of 152, down 3 points from the previous week. DTN's index is down from 184 a year ago and is still lower than the past four years.

Corn progress was running behind normal with 40% of corn silking as of Sunday, July 16, down from 53% a year ago and down from the five-year average of 47% silking.

"Monday's report is bullish for corn," said DTN Analyst Todd Hultman.

Meanwhile, USDA said 52% of soybeans were blooming as of Sunday, down from 56% a year ago, but above the five-year average of 51%. Sixteen percent of soybeans were setting pods, which was even with a year ago and above the five-year average of 13%.

Soybeans saw a 1-percentage-point drop in good-to-excellent conditions, from 62% the previous week to 61% last week. That resulted in a DTN Soybean Condition Index of 146, which is down 1 point from the previous week. "The index is down from 169 a year ago and is also lower than the past four years. Monday's report is neutral for soybeans," Hultman said.

Spring wheat conditions also declined by 1 percentage point, with 34% of the crop rated good to excellent last week, down from 35% the previous week. That resulted in a DTN Spring Wheat Condition Index of 37, down 7 points from the previous week. "The index is down from 164 a year ago and is still the lowest since 1988," Hultman said. "Monday's report remains bullish for spring wheat."

In other crop reports, cotton squaring was 70% as of Sunday, behind the average of 75%, and cotton setting bolls was 26%, slightly behind of the average of 28%. Rice was 33% headed, slightly ahead of the five-year average of 32%.

Sorghum headed was 31%, slightly behind the average pace of 33%, and sorghum coloring was 20%, near the average pace of 21%. Barley headed was 89%, behind the average pace of 91%. Oats were 97% headed, near the average pace of 96%, and 14% of oats were harvested as of Sunday, behind the average of 20%.

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

Winter wheat harvest progressed significantly across the state this past week due to continued hot and dry conditions. Isolated thunderstorms were reported in several localities, with varied precipitation received. Days suitable for fieldwork is 6.4 days, just down slightly from the previous week's 6.7 days. Topsoil moisture is 7% very short, 31% short, 60% adequate and 2% surplus. Subsoil moisture is 4% very short, 27% short, 67% adequate and 2% surplus. Corn silking is 9% with 18% the five-year average. Corn crop condition is 16% very poor to poor, 23% fair and 68% good to excellent. Barley headed is 94% with 93% the five-year average. Barley turning color is 16% with 28% the five-year average. Barley crop condition is 23% fair and 68% good to excellent. Sorghum headed is 4% with 6% the five-year average. Sorghum crop condition is 10% very poor to poor, 23% fair and 67% good to excellent. Spring wheat headed is 88% with 95% the five-year average. Spring wheat turning color is 18% with the five-year average 31%. Spring wheat is 3% poor, 25% fair and 72% good to excellent. Winter wheat is 97% with 90% the five-year average. Winter wheat harvested is 73% with 66% the five-year average. Winter wheat crop condition is 17% very poor to poor, 35% fair and 48% good to excellent.

Illinois

Much-needed rain was reported across the state. There were 5.4 days suitable for fieldwork. Statewide, the average temperature was 76.5 degrees, 0.2 degree above normal. Precipitation averaged 1.30 inches, 0.53 inch above normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated at 6% very short, 28% short, 63% adequate and 3% surplus. Subsoil moisture supply was rated at 5% very short, 28% short, 66% adequate and 1% surplus. Corn silking jumped to 63%, compared to 68% for the five-year average. Corn condition was rated at 2% very poor, 7% poor, 29% fair, 47% good and 15% excellent. Soybeans blooming reached 56%, compared with 57% last year. Soybeans setting pods was at 17%, compared to 14% last year. Soybean condition was rated 2% very poor, 8% poor, 23% fair, 56% good and 11% excellent.

Indiana

Rain early in the week continued to impede field work. Warm, humid, stormy weather was followed by cooler drier weather at the end of the week. Storms in the central portion of the state brought severe winds that knocked down trees and caused property damage. The statewide average temperature was 75.1 degrees, 0.1 degree above normal. Statewide, precipitation was 1.76 inches, above average by 0.83 inch. There were 3.5 days available for fieldwork for the week, down 0.8 days from the previous week. Topsoil moisture is 7% short, 66% adequate and 27% surplus. Subsoil moisture is 1% very short, 8% short, 69% adequate and 22% surplus. Corn silking is 39% with 51% the five-year average. Corn crop condition is 18% very poor to poor, 35% fair and 47% good to excellent. Soybeans blooming is 50% with 52% the five-year average. Soybeans setting pods is 13% with 14% the five-year average. Soybean crop condition is 15% very poor to poor, 36% fair and 49% good to excellent. Winter wheat harvested is 90% with 84% the five-year average.

Iowa

Hot, dry weather continued across the state with a few reports of notable precipitation last week. Statewide, there were 5.8 days suitable for fieldwork. Activities for the week included hauling grain, applying herbicides, cultivating and haying. Topsoil moisture levels rated 18% very short, 33% short, 48% adequate and 1% surplus. Over 85% of south-central and southeast Iowa's topsoil falls into the short to very short moisture level categories, while 90% of northeast Iowa's topsoil falls into the adequate to surplus categories. Subsoil moisture levels rated 13% very short, 29% short, 57% adequate and 1% surplus. Thirty-seven percent of Iowa's corn crop has reached the silking stage, five days behind last year and two days behind the five-year average. Corn conditions deteriorated slightly to 1% very poor, 5% poor, 23% fair, 58% good and 13% excellent. A little over half of the soybean crop was blooming, with 11% of soybeans setting pods which is equal to the average. Soybean condition also fell to 2% very poor, 8% poor, 27% fair, 54% good and 9% excellent. Virtually all the oat crop has headed with 79% turning color or beyond, five days behind last year. Eighteen percent of oats for grain or seed have been harvested, 6 days behind last year and average. Oat condition rated 72% good to excellent. Crops were described as suffering from heat stress and lack of moisture across much of the state.

Kansas

Above-normal temperatures were recorded across the state. Rainfall amounts up to 1 inch were common, but conditions remained dry in many areas. Winter wheat harvest was complete in most counties. There were 5.9 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture rated 5% very short, 29% short, 64% adequate and 2% surplus. Subsoil moisture rated 3% very short, 22% short, 74% adequate and 1% surplus. Winter wheat harvested was 98%, near 97% last year and 96% for the five-year average. Corn condition rated 2% very poor, 8% poor, 31% fair, 48% good and 11% excellent. Corn silking was 55%, behind 61% last year, and near 59% average. Soybean condition rated 1% very poor, 5% poor, 35% fair, 54% good and 5% excellent. Soybeans blooming was 44%, ahead of 35% last year and 34% average. Setting pods was 6%, near 4% last year and 5% average. Sorghum condition rated 1% very poor, 4% poor, 28% fair, 61% good and 6% excellent. Sorghum emerged was 98%. Headed was 5%, behind 13% last year and near 6% average. Cotton condition rated 1% very poor, 4% poor, 20% fair, 65% good and 10% excellent. Cotton squaring was 26%, behind 43% last year, and well behind 47% average.

Michigan

There were 4.5 days suitable for fieldwork last week. Although most of the state experienced several rain events this week, the timely showers and warm temperatures proved beneficial to overall crop development. While some areas in northern Michigan continued to struggle with saturated fields, rainfall in the lower central and southern parts were welcomed, as they provided a much-needed addition to short moisture supplies. Topsoil moisture is 2% very short, 12% short, 66% adequate and 20% surplus. Subsoil moisture is 3% very short, 12% short, 70% adequate and 15% surplus. Corn silking is 15% with 25% the five-year average. Corn crop condition is 8% poor to very poor, 26% fair and 66% good to excellent. Soybeans blooming is 53% and 47% on the five-year average. Soybeans setting pods is 16% with the five-year average 7%. Soybeans crop condition is 8% very poor to poor, 24% fair and 68% good to excellent. Oats headed is 84% with 95% the five-year average. Oats harvested is 1% with the five-year average 3%. Oats crop condition is 8% very poor to poor, 24% fair and 68% good to excellent. Winter wheat mature is 79%. Winter wheat harvested is 34% with 35% the five-year average. Winter wheat crop condition is 10% very poor to poor, 21% fair and 66% good to excellent.

Minnesota

Precipitation was variable last week, with 5.6 days suitable for fieldwork overall. The week left some farmers in hope for more rain and others content with the amount they received. Field activities for the week included hay making, and spraying. Topsoil moisture supplies decreased slightly from the previous week, rating 2% very short, 23% short, 72% adequate and 3% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies also decreased slightly, rating 1% very short, 14% short, 81% adequate and 4% surplus. Corn was 20% silked, a week behind last year, and five days behind the five-year average. Corn crop condition rated 79% good to excellent. Forty-eight percent of the soybean crop were blooming, four days behind average, with 10% of soybeans setting pods. Soybean condition rated 72% good to excellent. Most Minnesota small grains were nearly finished heading by Sunday. Thirty-six percent of spring wheat was coloring. Spring wheat condition decreased slightly to 83% good to excellent. Ninety-seven percent of the oat crop had reached the heading stage, with 53% of oats coloring. There were scattered reports of oats being harvested. Oats condition was 81% good to excellent. Thirty percent of barley was coloring. Barley condition rated 85% good to excellent.

Missouri

Ideal temperatures and adequate rain allowed crops to progress last week. Temperatures last week averaged 80.5 degrees, 2.4 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 0.85 inch statewide, 0.03 inch above normal. Statewide, topsoil moisture supply was rated 3% very short, 18% short, 76% adequate and 3% surplus. Subsoil moisture supply was rated 4% very short, 16% short, 79% adequate and 1% surplus. Corn silking progressed to 81%, up 30 percentage points from last week. Corn condition was rated 69% good to excellent. Soybeans blooming reached 44%. Soybeans setting pods reached 14%. Soybean condition was rated 65% good to excellent. Cotton squaring reached 82% and cotton setting bolls reached 16%. Cotton condition was rated 54% good to excellent. Rice headed was at 27%. Rice condition was rated 72% good to excellent.

Nebraska

Temperatures averaged 2 to 6 degrees above normal last week. Significant rainfall of an inch or more was received in the eastern half of Nebraska; however, the western half of the state remained relatively dry. Winter wheat harvested was near completion in the southern counties. Statewide, topsoil moisture supplies were rated 29% very short, 36% short and 35% adequate. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 22% very short, 35% short and 43% adequate. Corn silking was 47%, near 48% for the five-year average. Corn condition was rated 65% good to excellent. Soybeans blooming was 66%, ahead of 56% average, and setting pods was 11%, equal to the average. Soybean conditions were rated 63% good to excellent. Winter wheat mature was 98% and harvested was 83%, well ahead of the average of 58% harvested. Sorghum headed was 5%, slightly behind 8% average. Sorghum condition was rated 61% good to excellent. Oats coloring was 97%, mature was 84%, harvested was 47%, near 46% last year and 44% average. Oats condition was rated 54% good to excellent.

North Dakota

Dry conditions persisted last week. Despite some recent rain, most of North Dakota was experiencing drought conditions. Temperatures averaged 2 to 8 degrees above normal in the west, while the east averaged zero to 2 degrees above normal. Statewide, topsoil moisture supplies rated 32% very short, 33% short, 33% adequate and 2% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 25% very short, 33% short, 40% adequate, and 2% surplus. Corn silking was 11%, behind 20% for the five-year average. Corn condition was rated 45% good to excellent. Soybeans blooming was 40%, behind 54% average, and setting pods was 5%, behind 12% average. Soybean condition was rated 40% good to excellent. Winter wheat coloring was 70%, mature was 32% and harvested was 10%. Winter wheat condition was rated 30 good to excellent. Spring wheat headed was 92%, ahead of 87% average and coloring was 26%, near 29% average. Spring wheat condition was 32% good to excellent. Barley headed was 94%, coloring was 40% and mature was 3%. Barley condition was rated 41% good to excellent. Oats headed was 92%, coloring was 45%, and mature was 9%. Durum wheat headed was 84%, ahead of 69% average, and coloring was 12%, equal to average. Durum wheat condition was rated 24% good to excellent. Canola blooming was 93% and coloring was 16%, near 18% average. Canola condition was rated 40% good to excellent.

Ohio

Continued wet weather with heavy downpour events caused many fields to be lost to standing water and has stalled harvest. Northwest and central Ohio were drenched by heavy storms. Major rains fell in the vicinity of Hancock, Hardin, Seneca and Wyandot counties on already saturated soils. Statewide, topsoil moisture was rated 40% adequate and 60% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 1% short, 49% adequate and 50% surplus. Corn was 34% silking, down from the average of 38%. Corn condition was rated 54% good to excellent. Soybeans were 40% blooming, behind the average of 44%, and soybeans setting pods was 9%, ahead of the average of 6%. Soybean conditions were rated 50% good to excellent. Winter wheat as 87% harvested as of Sunday, ahead of the average of 72%. Excessive moisture created concerns over head sprout in wheat still in fields. Oats were 32% harvested, ahead of the average of 22%.

Oklahoma

For the second consecutive week, precipitation totals were above normal, with the largest departures experienced in the east-central and northeastern districts. As of July 11, drought conditions were rated 36% abnormally dry to exceptional, down nearly seven points from the previous week. Conditions continued to be most apparent in the west-central, panhandle and central districts. Statewide, temperatures averaged in the low 80s. Topsoil moisture was rated 8% very short, 48% short and 44% adequate. Subsoil moisture was rated 6% very short, 46% short and 48% adequate. Corn silk reached 50%, down 13 points from normal. Corn condition was rated 54% good to excellent. Sorghum headed reached 26%, down 1 points from normal, and sorghum coloring reached 11%, up 9 points from the previous year. Soybeans blooming reached 9%, down 4 points from normal, and soybeans setting pods reached 4%, up 3 points from normal. Soybean conditions were rated 76% good to excellent. Cotton squaring reached 50%, up 5 points from normal, and cotton setting bolls reached 17%, up 7 points from the previous year.

South Dakota

Extreme heat and humidity late in the week affected most of the state, stressing crops, rangeland and livestock. Scattered showers and thunderstorms brought rain to parts of northeast and western South Dakota. However, statewide, soil moisture conditions continued to decline as the rainfall was not widespread. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 43% very short, 42% short, 14% adequate and 1% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 36% very short, 43% short and 21% adequate. Winter wheat coloring was 100%, mature was 88% and harvested was 43%, ahead of 30% harvested for the five-year average. Spring wheat coloring was 82%, mature was 43% and harvested was 5%, near 4% average. Spring wheat condition was rated 8% good to excellent. Oats mature was 56% and harvested was 10%, behind 20% average. Barley coloring was 72%, well ahead of 49% average. Corn silking was 11%, behind 26 average. Corn condition was rated 30% good to excellent. Soybeans blooming was 49%, behind 57% average, and setting pods was 5%, near 9% average. Soybean condition was rated 29% good to excellent. Sorghum headed was 5%, behind 20% average. Sorghum condition was rated 6% good to excellent.

Texas

The northern and central parts of the state remained relatively dry last week. Most of the rain was received in the Trans Pecos, south Texas, the Lower Valley, the Coastal Bend, the Upper Coast and north and southeast Texas. Rainfall in these areas averaged between 0.5 inch and 1.5 inches, with isolated areas receiving upwards of 4.5 inches of precipitation. Statewide, topsoil moisture was rated 9% very short, 33% short, 54% adequate and 4% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 7% very short, 31% short, 60% adequate and 2% surplus. Corn was 70% silked, 56% in the dough stage, 53% dented and 25% mature, behind the average pace of 31% mature. Corn condition was rated 72% good to excellent. Cotton was 65% squaring, 20% setting bolls and 4% bolls opening, even with the average pace of bolls opening. Cotton conditions were rated 49% good to excellent. Rice was 81% headed, well ahead of the average of 67%. Sorghum was 32% harvested as of Sunday, ahead of the average of 24%. Soybeans were 65% blooming, ahead of the average of 60%, and 20% were setting pods, near the average of 21% setting pods. Soybean conditions were rated 62% good to excellent.

Wisconsin

Another week of frequent rains kept soil moisture levels high in Wisconsin. There were scattered reports of storm damage last week, with heavy rain and winds lodging some crops and significant flooding in the southeast. Statewide, topsoil moisture supplies were rated 2% short, 72% adequate and 26% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 1% short, 73% adequate and 26% surplus. Corn silking was reported at 5%, six days behind last year. Corn condition was 66% good to excellent, 3 percentage points below last week. Thirty-six% of the state's soybeans were blooming, one day behind the average. Soybean condition was 71% good to excellent, 3 percentage point below last week. Oats headed was reported at 93%, two days behind the average. Oats turning color were at 49%, six days behind last year. Harvesting of oats for grain has just begun. Oats condition was 78% good to excellent, the same as last week. Winter wheat coloring was reported at 93%, six days behind last year. Winter wheat harvesting for grain is just getting underway. Winter wheat was rated 76% in good-to-excellent condition statewide, 2 percentage points below the previous week.

National Crop Progress Summary
	This	Last	Last	5-Year
	Week	Week	Year	Avg.
Corn Silking	40	19	53	47
Soybeans Blooming	52	34	56	51
Soybeans Setting Pods	16	7	16	13
Winter Wheat Harvested	75	67	75	73
Spring Wheat Headed	91	79	95	87
Cotton Squaring	70	61	74	75
Cotton Setting Bolls	26	19	27	28
Sorghum Headed	31	28	38	33
Sorghum Coloring	20	18	19	21
Oats Headed	97	93	99	96
Oats Harvested	14	10	21	20
Barley Headed	89	72	94	91
Rice Headed	33	22	39	32

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	3	8	25	51	13		3	7	25	52	13		1	4	19	57	19
Soybeans	3	8	28	51	10		3	8	27	52	10		2	5	22	57	14
Spring Wheat	21	20	25	28	6		19	20	26	29	6		2	5	24	58	11
Sorghum	2	6	29	56	7		1	5	31	56	7		-	3	29	57	11
Cotton	1	9	30	46	14		4	8	27	47	14		1	9	36	45	9
Barley	8	10	29	43	10		7	12	30	41	10		1	3	23	58	15
Oats	9	13	27	42	9		8	12	27	45	8		3	7	24	55	11
Rice	1	4	25	46	24		-	4	24	48	24		2	5	25	53	15

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