What Is the Condition of the Corn Crop?

With U.S. corn planting 95 percent complete, the crop condition held strong, according to a report released Monday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

With 74 percent of acres still rated in good or excellent condition, only two points behind this time last year, 84 percent of the corn crop has already emerged.

Chip Bowling, National Corn Growers Association President, tells us,

Right now, farmers are relying upon best management practices and the prospect of favorable weather to nurture the crop along. Despite the implications of a swift and successful planting season, a record-setting crop is not guaranteed by any means. A long summer still lies ahead and, as in many years, the fate of the crop will largely be decided by propitiously timed rains in the middle of the summer.

Corn emerged exceeded the average with 84 percent of all acres up by May 31. The five-year average at this point is 79 percent. Wisconsin both and South Dakota exceeded the five-year average by the widest margin, at 28 and 25 points respectively.

The report also included the second assessment of the 2015 corn crop quality. With 74 percent of corn acres rated either good or excellent, it stood unchanged since the week prior. View full report.