Corn's national condition stayed at 69% good to excellent in Monday's USDA update with the excellent rating gaining two points and good slipping two, as improvements in Iowa, North Dakota and Ohio were offset by declines in a number of states including Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri.

Soybeans were unchanged at 62% good to excellent. Slippage was seen in the Illinois, Indiana and Iowa, while Arkansas, Minnesota, Nebraska and Wisconsin improved, USDA said.

Winter wheat harvest advanced to 75% done, compared with 74% a year ago and the 74% average. Spring wheat slipped one point to 70% good/excellent with top producer North Dakota unchanged at 82% good/excellent, although excellent gained two points and good slipped two.

In top producer Iowa, corn went to 83% good to excellent from 82%. Illinois dropped to 55% from 56% a week ago and Indiana corn dropped to 45% from 46%.

"Hot and humid weather throughout Iowa aided crop development," the state report said. "Statewide there were 4.5 days suitable for fieldwork. Activities for the week included cutting hay and fungicide application to corn."

Nationwide, 55% of the corn was silking, ahead of last year's 53% and barely behind the 56% average. Soybeans were 56% blooming and 17% setting pods, both of which matched the average paces.

The winter wheat harvest at 75% nationally included Texas at 97%, Oklahoma at 99%, Kansas at 96% and Nebraska at 62%.

Soft red winter wheat harvest in Illinois was 91% done, compared with 97% average. Indiana was 72% versus the 95% average.

In Washington, where rain is needed, spring wheat slipped to 21% good to excellent from 29% last week and 38% two weeks ago.

While North Dakota's wheat was unchanged at 82% good to excellent the state said harsh weather did hurt some crops.

"Storms with strong winds, heavy rain, and isolated hail caused some lodging and low-area flooding in central and eastern parts of the State," the state report said. "The persistent, wet conditions were causing disease concerns in some crops. Dry weather is needed in these areas."

In sorghum, 20% was coloring, down from the 24% average and 33% was headed versus the 35% average. The condition stayed at 67% good to excellent, although excellent gained one point and good lost one.

Cotton was at 33% setting bolls versus the 36% average. It was rated 57% good/excellent, unchanged from a week ago, although excellent gained one point and good lost one.

Topsoil moisture was largely adequate to surplus from North Dakota to Texas and throughout the Midwest. In Washington, topsoil slipped to 34% adequate, 40% short and 26% very short, versus last week's 37% adequate, 41% short and 22% very short.

Source - http://farmfutures.com/