CROPS GOT A LITTLE BREAK FROM THE HEAT THIS PAST WEEK…BUT STILL NEED RAIN.

CHIEF STATE CROP STATISTICIAN BRAD SCHWAB SAYS CORN CONTINUES TO MATURE AHEAD OF SCHEDULE…WITH 90 PERCENT IN THE DOUGH STAGE…AND 62 PERCENT IN THE DENT STAGE.

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SCHWAB SAYS 98 PERCENT OF THE SOYBEAN CROP IS BLOOMING, WHILE 88 PERCENT ARE SETTING PODS AND FOUR PERCENT OF THE CROP IS TURNING YELLOW. 60 PERCENT OF THE SOYBEAN CROP IS RATED IN FAIR TO POOR CONDITION.

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AS FOR OTHER CROPS…98 PERCENT OF OATS HAVE BEEN HARVESTED…AND THE THIRD CUTTING OF ALFALFA HAY IS NOW 81 PERCENT COMPLETE.

AVERAGE STATEWIDE TOPSOIL MOISTURE NOW STANDS AT FIVE PERCENT ADEQUATE…23 PERCENT SHORT AND 72 PERCENT VERY SHORT.