8 States report corn dough

On Monday, USDA reported that eight states – Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas – had at least low percentages of corn at the dough stage the week ending July 7. Here’s a closer look at the numbers.

Illinois

According to USDA, 1% of the corn in Illinois had reached the dough stage as of July 7. That’s on par with last year at this time, when the same percentage of corn had reached the dough stage, and it’s just ahead of the five-year average of zero.

As far as the condition of the crop, corn in Illinois rated as follows: 4% very poor, 6% poor, 23% fair, 52% good, and 15% excellent.

Iowa

Like the Prairie State, 1% of Iowa’s corn had reached the dough stage as of July 7, which is the same percentage as that reported for the state a year ago. The percentage of Iowa’s corn at the dough stage is just ahead of the five-year average of zero. 

According to USDA, 2% of Iowa’s corn rated very poor, 4% rated poor, 18% rated fair, 58% rated good, and 18% rated excellent for the week ending July 7.

Kansas

In Kansas, 4% of the corn crop had reached the dough stage as of July 7. That’s an increase of 1 percentage point compared to where the state’s crop was last year at this time, and 2 percentage points ahead of the five-year average.

USDA rated Kansas’ corn as follows in Monday’s report: 2% very poor, 5% poor, 28% fair, 47% good, and 18% excellent. 

Missouri

A total of 9% of Missouri’s corn had reached the dough stage, according to Monday’s report, which was an increase of 8 percentage points for the week. That’s well ahead of historical averages: Last year at this time only 2% of the state’s corn had reached the dough stage, and the five-year average is 1%.

Missouri’s corn was rated by USDA as 3% very poor, 4% poor, 14% fair, 61% good, and 18% excellent.

Nebraska

As of July 7, 1% of Nebraska’s corn had reached the dough stage. That’s compared to no dough-stage corn reported last year at this time and a five-year average of zero.

Nebraska had the most corn rated excellent by far of top-producing states. Overall, USDA rated Nebraska’s corn 1% very poor, 3% poor, 16% fair, 52% good, and 28% excellent.

North Carolina

In North Carolina, 26% of the corn crop was at the dough stage as of July 7, a jump of 15 percentage points since the week prior. When compared to last year at this time and the five-year average, the state was ahead by 5 percentage points and 8 percentage points, respectively.

In terms of overall condition, North Carolina’s corn crop continued the steady decline seen over the last several weeks: almost three-quarters rated poor or worse. Overall, the state’s corn rated as follows: 40% very poor, 33% poor, 15% fair, 9% good, and 3% excellent.

Tennessee

For the week ending July 7, 12% of Tennessee’s corn had reached the dough stage. That was an increase of 9 percentage points for the week and is comparable to both the percentage reported last year at this time (12%) and the five-year average (11%).

Tennessee’s corn rated 6% very poor, 9% poor, 23% fair, 46% good, and 16% excellent.

Texas

Finally, 60% of Texas’ corn had reached the dough stage as of July 7, an increase of 13 percentage points since the previous week. Last year at this time, 54% of the state’s corn was at the dough stage, and the five-year average is 52%.

Corn in Texas rated as follows in Monday’s report: 3% very poor, 15% poor, 28% fair, 36% good, and 18% excellent.