Corn in the dough stage improved from last week’s rate of 89% to 93% as of Sept. 15. This still remains behind the corn in the dough stage percentage from Sept. 15, 2018 of 99% and the 5 year average of 98%. Corn dented rates are more seriously behind, with just 68% of corn dented as of Sept. 15, compared to 55% dented as of Sept 8. This comes up short of the 5 year average of 87% and the Sept. 15, 2018 rate of 92%.

Corn entering the mature state was rated at just 18%, above the 11% rate on Sept. 8 and far below the 5 year average of 39% and the 51% rate this time last year.

Corn harvest rates are starting below average, with rates as of Sept. 15 at just 4%. This comes in below the 5 year average of 7% and the 8% rate this time last year.

Corn condition improved slightly compared to last week. As of Sept. 15, 11% of corn crops were rated as “excellent” and 44% were rated “good.” This is builds on last week’s rates of 10% being reported as “excellent” and 45% being reported as “good.” These rates still come up short from last year’s rates, in which 21% of corn crops were rated “excellent” and 47% were rated “good.”

Soybeans also lagged behind last year’s numbers, with 95% of soybeans reported as setting pods. This comes up short of the 5 year average of 100% and last year’s 100% but above last week’s rate of 92%.

Soybeans dropping leaves also lagged behind normal rates, with just 15% of soybean crops dropping leaves as of Sept. 15. This comes up short of the 5 year average of 38% and last year’s rates of 50%.

Soybean crop conditions also fared no better, with 9% of crop reported as “excellent” and 45% reported as “good.” Last week’s rates for this same time were 10% rated as “excellent” and 45% rated as “good,” compared to last year’s conditions rated as 18% “excellent” and 49% “good.”