WASHINGTON — Corn conditions declined sharply across several Plains states last week, while crops in Iowa continued to rank among the strongest in the country, according to the latest USDA Crop Progress Report.
Nationwide, 57% of the corn crop was rated good to excellent as of Sunday, Aug. 23, down three percentage points from the previous week. Another 26% was rated fair, while 17% was listed in poor or very poor condition.
Some of the largest declines were reported in the western portion of the Your Ag Network coverage area. Colorado corn dropped seven points to just 19% good to excellent, with 68% now rated poor or very poor. North Dakota also fell seven points to 26% good to excellent.
Nebraska corn declined four points to 55% good to excellent, while South Dakota slipped two points to 42%. Minnesota corn fell two points but remained 64% good to excellent. Kansas held steady at 42%.
Iowa remained a notable bright spot, with 78% of its corn rated good to excellent, unchanged from the previous week. Ninety percent of Iowa corn had reached the dough stage, three points ahead of last year, while 47% was dented—five points ahead of last year. One percent had reached maturity.
Across the country, 86% of corn had reached the dough stage, 45% was dented and 6% was mature.
Soybean conditions also weakened slightly. USDA rated 60% of the national soybean crop good to excellent, down one point for the week.
North Dakota soybean conditions suffered the largest regional decline, dropping seven points to 27% good to excellent. Kansas soybeans fell four points to 50%, South Dakota declined three points to 46% and Minnesota dropped two points to 65%.
Nebraska soybean conditions improved one point to 64% good to excellent. Iowa soybeans slipped one point but remained among the nation’s strongest at 77% good to excellent. Eighty-eight percent of Iowa soybeans were setting pods, one point behind last year.
Iowa farmers had 5.2 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture was rated 70% adequate and 11% surplus, with 19% short or very short. Subsoil moisture was 66% adequate and 8% surplus.
Rainfall was limited across much of Iowa during the week, averaging 0.24 inches statewide compared with the normal 0.93 inches. Totals ranged from no measurable rain at several locations to 2.45 inches near Thurman in southwestern Iowa.
Iowa’s oat harvest reached 97%, one point ahead of last year, while pasture conditions were rated 65% good to excellent.
Spring wheat harvest continued ahead of schedule nationally, reaching 62% complete compared with the five-year average of 52%. South Dakota led the region at 91% harvested, followed by Minnesota at 78% and North Dakota at 56%.
The national spring wheat crop was rated 51% good to excellent, down one point from the previous week.
The full reports are available from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service .