CORN IS ADVANCING A LITTLE SLOWER THAN USUAL AS WE HEAR IN THE WEEKLY CROP REPORT.

65 PERCENT OF CORN IS IN THE DENT STAGE, COMPARED TO 68 PERCENT LAST YEAR. FOUR PERCENT IS MATURE, BEHIND THE NORM OF 10 PERCENT SAYS CROP STATISTICIAN MARK SCHLEUSENER.

95 PERCENT OF SOYBEANS ARE SETTING PODS, WHICH IS ABOUT NORMAL AT THIS TIME OF YEAR.

AVERAGE STATEWIDE TOPSOIL MOISTURE IS RATED AS FIVE PERCENT VERY SHORT, 20 PERCENT SHORT, 70 PERCENT ADEQUATE AND FIVE PERCENT SURPLUS. THE THIRD CUTTING OF ALFALFA HAY IS NOW 91 PERCENT COMPLETE.