At that point in the summer when corn should be dented and beans should be podded, the Cornbelt is far from that benchmark. With Farm Progress next week and Labor Day the following week, somehow the harvest season is coming quicker than it should. With a quick fly around the Cornbelt, we’ll check on crop progress and particularly moisture, which is becoming more scarce than crops can stand.

USDA’s weekly state by state report for the current week provides the basic information.

ILLINOIS reports nearly 7 days suitable for fieldwork indicating lack of rain, and that is reflected in the soil moisture report which shows 25% either short or very short. 66% of the corn has reach the dough stage, 20 points behind average for this point. Only 70% of the beans are setting pods, compared to the 89% average. 72% of the corn is good to excellent, as are 66% of the soybeans. Crop maturity has slowed from cool temperatures and precipitation is also below normal.

INDIANA also reported nearly 7 days for fieldwork because only spotty rains fell, leaving soil short of moisture by 37% and crops starting to show moisture stress in Central and Northeastern counties. Less than half of the corn is in the dough stage, and a small percent still unpollinated. Usually, 28% is dented by now. 69% of the corn is rated fair to good, and 73% of the soybeans are rated fair to good. Some have still not bloomed, but 61% are setting pods and that is more than 20 points behind the average. Temperatures were 4 to 9 degrees below normal with insignificant rainfall.

IOWA has had a bit more moisture with 72% of the soil in the adequate range and some surplus, with nearly 90% of the subsoil moisture rated adequate to surplus. 70% of the corn is still in the milk stage with 5% still unpollinated. 72% of the corn is rated fair to good, parallel to the 75% of the soybeans rated fair to good. 80% have set pods, but some have still not begun to bloom. The weather has been dry and mild.

KANSAS is wetter than Iowa, with soil moisture rated 75% adequate and 10% surplus; and 75% of the subsoil has adequate to surplus moisture. The only corn report is that 3% of it is mature.

MICHIGAN has drier soil with 29% very short of moisture and 33% in the short category, and more than half of the subsoil is finishing the summer with insufficient moisture. “Soybeans bloomed and most set pods,” but have not yet begun to turn color, but this is about the time that change occurs. Corn is reported to be mainly in the dough stage with crop conditions dependent upon available moisture. The NASS crop reporters say, “Crops need soaking rain. Some areas received light rain but not a meaningful quantity. Farmers many areas anxious for rain to boost crop growth and relieve dry soils across State.”

MINNESOTA soils are reported 58% adequate in moisture, but 28% are short of moisture. 74% of the corn is in the milk stage, well behind the 89% average, and only 22% of the sweet corn is mature enough to harvest. The wide variety of other Minnesota crops also reflect the lateness of crop maturity, including spring wheat, barley, and canola. About half of the various crops are rated good, with the balance evenly split between fair and excellent. Temperatures have been cool, but about normal for this time of year.

MISSOURI crops are becoming stressed from cool night temperatures and lack of moisture. The past week saw thermometers 4 to 7 degrees below normal. While 68% of the state has adequate soil moisture, 24% is in the short category, and that is reflected in pasture conditions.

NEBRASKA soils are split about 2/3 having adequate moisture and 1/3 on the short side. The dryland corn crop is 56% good and the balance split between fair and excellent, but 5% is in the poor to very poor category. 67% is in the dough stage, about 20 points behind normal. In the soybean crop 77% are setting pods, compared to 91% for the multi year average. 60% of the beans are in good condition, with more in the fair category than rated excellent. Crop stress had been noted in the prior week, but rains in the past week and below normal temperatures helped moderate the stress, however crops remain behind the average in their development.

NORTH DAKOTA has also been dry, with 42% of the soil rated short or very short of moisture, and a majority of the subsoil also has less than adequate amounts of moisture. Small grain conditions also reflect the late and cool growing season, with many behind in their typical stage of development. For example, only 35% of the soybeans have pods, compared to 55% at this time in prior years. Heavy rainfall has recently been recorded, but it gave way to hot and dry conditions.

OHIO cornfields are well behind typical development with only 52% in the dough stage compared to the 69% average. 85% of the soybeans are setting pods, compared to practically all of them by this date on prior calendars. 16% of the corn is poor to very poor, equal to the 16% in the excellent category; with 68% fair to good. Likewise, the soybean crop is also all over the board with 32% fair, 39% good, and only 11% rated excellent. Both corn and soybeans are showing signs of drought stress.

SOUTH DAKOTA has had adequate moisture and 77% of the soil is rated adequate and crops are ripening about on average. Barley, oats, and spring wheat are only a couple percentage points each behind schedule. 99% of the corn is tasseled, which is average. NASS crop reporters noted the cool weather, but said it did not delay crop progress in the past week.

WISCONSIN is short of moisture with the topsoil rated 9% very short and 32% short. That is reflected with crop ratings, particularly on the lighter soils where crops are more stressed. Temperatures were also slightly below normal in the past week and only spotty rains did not help crop conditions that much. 95% of the corn is in pollination and 75% of the beans have started to set pods.

Summary:
The overall theme is well known. Crop maturity is well behind averages by 15 to 20% for corn and soybean crops, and the general lack of rain in the Central, Eastern, and Northern Cornbelt states has begun to stress both corn and soybean crops in many areas. With the lack of rain and heat units, many farmers have reason to grow increasingly concerned that the slow maturing crop may not make it to the finish line before Mother Nature declares that time has expired.