Corn and soybean sowings concluded with 11% of corn crop now silking

HOUSTON (ICIS)–Sowings of corn and soybean have concluded and there is now 11% of the corn acreage silking with 20% of soybeans blooming, according to the latest US Department of Agriculture (USDA) weekly crop progress report.

The recent wet conditions followed then by warmer-than-normal temperatures have helped initially push crop development forward, with the agency reporting 11% of corn has reached the critical silking phase.

This current pace is ahead of the 7% achieved in 2023 and the five-year average of 6%.

For corn conditions, there is currently 3% of the crop listed as very poor with 6% as poor. There is 24% of the crop considered fair, with 52% labeled as good and 15% as excellent.

For soybeans, there is 95% of the crop which has emerged. This is less than the 97% from 2023 but it is higher than the five-year average of 93%.

20% of the acreage has reached the blooming phase, which equals the 2023 rate but is ahead of the five-year average of 15%.

In the first update of soybeans setting pods, the weekly report said there is 3% of the crop at this stage, matching the 3% achieved last year and easing just above the five-year average of 2%.

For soybean conditions, there is 2% of the crop seen as very poor with 6% listed as poor. There remains 25% of the crop considered fair, with 55% counted as good and 12% as excellent.

For the other key crops, the USDA said cotton plantings have reached 97% completed with sorghum at 96%.