Top two corn and soybean states shine in stellar year | Food and Environment Reporting Network

Crop conditions in Iowa and Illinois, the two biggest corn- and soybean-growing states, out-shine U.S. ratings in a year that seems headed for record harvests, said USDA data. The neighboring Midwestern states grew 31 percent of U.S. corn and 27 percent of U.S. soybeans last year, says USDA. The weekly Crop Progress report says 81 percent of Illinois corn and 77 percent of Iowa corn are in good or excellent condition, compared to 76 percent nationwide. For soybeans, 77 percent of Illinois and 74 percent of Iowa are in good or excellent condition, compared to the U.S. average of 72 percent.

The corn crop was in the best condition for late July in 21 years, said CattleNetwork.

In nationwide straw polls, farmers, famously dour about their prospects, are not as enthusiastic. At AgWeb, an on-line poll asks, “How would you rate the condition of your corn crop?” With 1,868 replies, the tally was “very good,” 27 percent; “good,” 25 percent; “fair”, 21 percent; “poor”, 11 percent and “very poor” 15 percent.

At Agriculture.com, the question for the on-line poll was, “What best describes the state of your corn crop?” The replies were “on top of the world,” 18 percent; “chugging along okay,” 21 percent; “decent,” 22 percent; “having a tough go,” 19 percent; and “in rough shape,” 18 percent.

The spring wheat tour of North Dakota, the top grower, begins on Tuesday. DTN says crop scouts expected to see a tip-top crop. North Dakota grew 44 percent of the spring wheat crop last year and is forecast to produce nearly 267 million bushels this year. The crop tour will spot-check 500 fields, says DTN.