Corn development across major growing states is ahead of the five-year average, according to the weekly Crop Progress report released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The report shows 76% of corn in the 18 major corn-producing states has reached the silking stage, compared to the five-year average of 77%. Corn reaching the dough stage has advanced to 26%, slightly ahead of the 24% five-year average.
Illinois corn silking reached 92%, while Iowa reported 84% of its crop at that stage. North Dakota showed the largest improvement from last week, jumping from 33% to 54% silking.
Sorghum condition across the six major producing states was rated 66% good to excellent. Texas, the largest sorghum producer, reported 65% of its crop in good to excellent condition.
The report also indicates varied moisture conditions across growing regions. Nationwide, 63% of cropland has adequate subsoil moisture, while 19% is rated short and 7% very short of moisture. Top-producing Midwestern states generally reported favorable moisture conditions.
Farmers had an average of 5.6 days suitable for fieldwork during the week, with drought-affected Western states reporting more available field days than areas in the Eastern Corn Belt that received rainfall.
Cotton in the 15 major producing states was rated 73% good to excellent, with most Southern states reporting favorable growing conditions despite localized heat stress.
