All 18 top-producing states report corn dough

According to USDA’s most recent Crop Progress report, all of the country’s top corn-producing states now have at least some percentage of corn that has reached the dough stage. Five of those states are ahead of their respective five-year averages by at least 10 percentage points and up to 21 percentage points. 

Missouri

According to USDA, 62% of Missouri’s corn crop had reached the dough stage the week ending July 28. Last year at this time, only 51% of the crop was at the dough stage. What’s more, the five-year average is 41% – that’s 21 percentage points lower than the current percentage of dough-stage corn. 

In terms of good-to-excellent corn, 78% of Missouri’s corn falls in this category, ranking second of top-producing states (behind Pennsylvania). The state also ranked second for the most corn rated excellent (behind Nebraska). Overall, Missouri’s corn rated 4% very poor, 4% poor, 14% fair, 58% good, and 20% excellent.

Favorable weather and soil moisture levels undoubtedly played a role in the progress and condition of Missouri’s corn. According to USDA, the average temperature statewide was 76.5°F, which was 1°F below normal, and soil moisture levels were mostly adequate. USDA rated topsoil moisture supply 1% very short, 10% short, 84% adequate, and 5% surplus and subsoil moisture supply 0% very short, 6% short, 92% percent adequate, and 2% surplus.

Nebraska

USDA said that 37% of Nebraska’s corn crop had reached the dough stage the week ending July 28. That’s a jump of 19 percentage points and 17 percentage points compared to last year at this time and the five-year average, respectively.

At 27%, Nebraska had the most corn rated excellent of the country’s top producers. The breakdown of condition ratings by USDA for the state is as follows: 3% very poor, 7% poor, 16% fair, 47% good, and 27% excellent.

Travis Gustafson, an Agronomic Service Representative for Syngenta Crop Protection covering central and western Nebraska, described sustained high temperatures that are not taking as much of a toll on crops as they could. He explained the following for the week ending July 28: “Average highs were in the 90’s with this pattern forecasted to continue for the next seven to 10 days. While it is hot, it is not unprecedented for this time of year. The early season rains we had in Nebraska helped to build the subsoil moisture profile back up from the drought conditions we had last year and the crop does not seem to be showing signs of stress despite the high temperatures.”

Ohio

In the Buckeye State, 25% of the corn crop had reached the dough stage, USDA said Monday. That’s quite a surge compared to a five-year average of 9%, and even more striking compared to the percentage of corn at the dough stage last year at this time: only 2%.

Ohio’s corn was rated by USDA as follows: 1% very poor, 4% poor, 29% fair, 55% good, and 11% excellent.

Despite great progress and condition numbers, Ohio’s recent weather is causing some concern. The most recent U.S. Drought Monitor report showed that nearly 70% of the state was abnormally dry or worse as of July 23. State Statistician Ben Torrance said that the dry conditions were beginning to worry farmers; that’s according to the USDA NASS Ohio Crop Weather report released July 29. 

Kansas

As of July 28, 48% of the corn crop in Kansas had reached the dough stage. That’s 16 percentage points ahead of the five-year average. It’s also an increase of 18 percentage points since the week prior and 13 percentage points compared to last year at this time.

As for corn conditions, only about half of Kansas’ corn was in good or excellent shape as of July 28. USDA rated 5% of the state’s corn very poor, 12% poor, 31% fair, 40% good, and 12% excellent.

Iowa

According to USDA, 34% of Iowa’s corn crop had reached the dough stage as of July 28. Although that’s only 2 percentage points up from where the state’s crop was last year at this time, it’s 10 percentage points ahead of the five-year average. 

Iowa’s corn is largely in good shape, with only 4% rating very poor or poor. The specific condition breakdown for the state is as follows: 1% very poor, 3% poor, 19% fair, 58% good, and 19% excellent.