The nation's corn crop development is keeping pace with the five-year average, while soybeans show positive progress, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's weekly Crop Progress report.
Corn dough reached 83% as of August 24, matching the five-year average of 84%. Corn dented reached 44%, equal to the five-year average but 17 percentage points ahead of last week. Corn maturity hit 7%, just behind the five-year average of 7%.
The USDA rated 71% of the corn crop in good to excellent condition, compared to 65% at the same time last year.
Soybeans setting pods reached 89%, on par with the five-year average, while 4% of soybeans are dropping leaves. The agency rated 69% of soybeans in good to excellent condition, slightly ahead of last year's 67%.
Cotton progress is ahead of schedule with 81% setting bolls compared to the five-year average of 87%. Twenty percent of cotton bolls are opening, slightly behind the average of 22%.
Rice harvest is progressing with 25% complete, above the five-year average of 20%. Spring wheat harvest reached 53%, just below the five-year average of 54%.
Pasture and range conditions show variation across the country with 37% rated as good to excellent, down slightly from last year's 40%. Topsoil moisture was reported as 64% adequate to surplus nationwide.
