The United States Department of Agriculture reports that as of Sunday, August 17, 2008, 97% of the corn crop was pollinating. That's up 5% from last week, but 3% behind last year and down 2% from the five year average. Generally, the prime U.S. corn growing states continue to see the effects of the late start to planting, June's flooding and largely variable weather conditions. Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio and Tennessee have completed this stage. 49% of corn is at the dough making stage, compared to 30% at the end of the previous week, 77% a year ago and the five year average of 68%. Only a handful of states are ahead of average. Illinois is 20% behind its five year average at 66%, Indiana's at 49%, compared to 73% on average, Iowa's at 30% which is half of their five year average, Minnesota is at 20%, compared to the five year average of 48%, Missouri is at 63%, compared to the five year average of 91%, North Dakota stands at 16%, compared to the five year average of 53%, and Wisconsin is at 24%, compared to 42% on average. Only 14% of corn has dented, compared to 38% a year ago and the five year average of 30%. Only two states, Colorado and Michigan, are at or ahead of their respective paces, while the rest all trail averages, and North Dakota's crop is not even at this stage. Corn's in 67% good to excellent condition, unchanged on the week, but with 1% moving from excellent to good.
94% of soybeans are blooming, compared to 88% a week ago and 97% both a year ago and on the five year average. Recent good weather has let most states complete this stage or catch up, but a number of the major states remain behind average. 75% are setting pods, 15% more than the week before, but 14% less than last year and 12% under the five year average. Only two states are ahead of average: Michigan and North Carolina. Soybeans are in 62% good to excellent condition, up 1% from last week.
The winter wheat harvest is 95% complete as of Sunday, with Idaho, Montana, Oregon, South Dakota and Washington yet to finish. Idaho's 17% behind their average at 60%, Montana is 70% harvested, compared to 91% on average, and Washington is 68% complete, compared to 81% for the five year average.
For spring wheat, harvest is 35% finished, compared to 16% last week, 67% last year and the five year average of 54%. Idaho stands at 18%, compared to 38% for the five year average, Minnesota is 15% complete, compared to the five year average of 57%, North Dakota is 33% harvested, compared to 49% for the five year average, and South Dakota is at 66%, compared to their five year average of 91%. It's pretty late in the season for it to matter, but spring wheat's in 56% good to excellent shape, an increase of 3% from a week ago.
U.S. pastures and range lands are in 40% good to excellent shape, compared to 39% a week ago and 35% a year ago.
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