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Critical rainfall occurred late last week in many Crop Watch fields in the heart of the Corn Belt, notably improving crop conditions, although some locations remain low on moisture. Normal to cool weather is expected through mid-July across much of the Corn Belt, particularly favorable for pollination. Nine of Crop Watch's 11 corn fields are expected to be buckled within the next 10 days. Ohio corn is about three weeks away and North Dakota is between two and five weeks away as the corn field is so patchy.
Precipitation over the next few days should be quite favorable and could cover some of the drier areas in the West. The central Corn Belt is unlikely to be as wet as it was last week.
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While cool July weather usually supports large harvests, some Crop Watch growers mentioned that their fields could benefit from some heat and sunshine.
CONDITIONS
Crop Watch growers assign condition scores to their fields every week on a scale of 1 to 5, similar to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's system, where 1 is very poor, 3 is average and 5 is excellent.
The 11-field unweighted average corn condition jumped to 4.05 from 3.86 the previous week, with quarter-point improvements in Nebraska, Kansas and Ohio, a half-point increase in Indiana and a one-point increase in total in southeastern Illinois. North Dakota dropped a quarter of a point and all other corn scores remained unchanged.
This corn score is similar to four weeks ago, which was coming off a considerable cut in conditions. The weekly increase was Crop Watch corn's largest since late June 2021, when much-needed rain finally fell in the central corn belt.
Soybean conditions jumped to 4.05 from 3.73 the previous week, Crop Watch beans' biggest weekly improvement but similar to the same week in June 2021. The 4.05 average is a five-week high, although The late May scores have not yet included North Dakota, the lowest of the 11 bean plantations. Soybeans in Nebraska and western Iowa rose a quarter point this week. Beans from Minnesota, Kansas, eastern Iowa and Indiana added half a point and southeastern Illinois rose 1 point. No reductions were made in beans.
CLIMATE
Locations in Iowa and Illinois had the highest rainfall totals last week, occurring mainly on Friday and Saturday. Southeast Illinois recorded 7.7 inches, eastern Iowa more than 3 inches, western Illinois 2.7 inches and western Iowa 1.5 inches. This rain was desperately needed in the fields of Illinois.
About 1 inch of rain was observed in North Dakota, Kansas, Indiana and Ohio, and Nebraska got between half an inch and 1 inch. South Dakota and Minnesota were the driest with 0.35 inches and 0.15 inches for the week, respectively.
The South Dakota producer is comfortable after a big rain the previous week, but drought concerns remain in Minnesota and Nebraska. The Indiana grower was a little disappointed, as the forecast was for 2 to 3 inches, and more moisture will be needed in another week.
The following are the 2023 Crop Watch corn and soybean fields states and counties: Kingsbury, South Dakota; Freeborn, Minnesota; Burt, Nebraska; Rice, Kansas; Audubon, Iowa; Cedar, Iowa; Warren, Illinois; Crawford, Illinois; Tippecanoe, Indiana; Fairfield, Ohio. North Dakota corn is in Griggs County and soybeans are in Stutsman County.
Source: Karen Braun | agrolink
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