As U.S. Soybeans Reach Key Pod Stage, Louisiana Crop in Best Shape Nationwide

In its Crop Progress report released Monday, the USDA offered a first look at the progress of soybeans setting pods across the country. Nationwide, progress reached 3% during the week that ended June 29, just ahead of the five-year average of 2%. 

Just under half of the 18 top growing states have soybeans at the setting pods stage, with progress ranging from 1% to 41%. Here’s a closer look.

Arkansas

USDA reported that 41% of the soybean crop in Arkansas had reached the setting pods stage as of June 29, an increase from 33% the week prior. That’s ahead of the five-year average by 17 points.

Half of Arkansas’ crop was in good condition, according to USDA. Otherwise, 18% was rated excellent, 28% was rated fair, 3% was rated poor, and 1% was rated very poor.

Louisiana

In Louisiana, 40% of the soybean crop reached the setting pods stage during the week that ended June 29. Progress the week prior was 35%, while the five-year average is 36%.

Louisiana’s soybeans are in the best condition of all 18 top states. It’s the only top state with none of its soybeans rated poor or very poor, and a notable 87% of its crop is in good/excellent shape.

Mississippi

Rounding out the three states with progress in the double digits is Mississippi. USDA said 20% of soybeans in the Magnolia State had reached the setting pods stage, up from 11% the week prior. Progress is just shy of the five-year average of 21%.

Like Arkansas, half of Mississippi’s crop was rated good by USDA. As for the rest, 23% was rated excellent, a quarter was rated fair, and 2% was rated poor. None of the crop was rated very poor.

Iowa

As of June 29, 4% of Iowa’s soybean crop had reached the setting pods stage, ahead of the five-year average of 1%. The week prior, progress was at 1%. 

More than three-quarters of the crop in Iowa was rated good/excellent by USDA. Otherwise, 19% was rated fair, and 4% was rated poor/very poor.

Kelly Garrett, a farmer on the western side of the state, said his crop has just started to bloom, and it’s turning out to be “a very nice crop.”

Eric Wilson, an agronomist supporting southern and northeast Iowa, described quick growth in his area because of the warm weather. As did Agronomist Logan Dinkla, who covers much of west Iowa. “Soybeans have finally taken off. They started slow, but the heat and moisture has pushed soybeans towards canopy,” Dinkla said.

Other States

In neighboring states Kentucky and Tennessee, soybeans setting pods reached 3% by June 29, according to USDA. For Kentucky, it’s untypical for the crop to have reached the setting pods stage at this point — the five-year average is 0%, the same as progress a year ago. For Tennessee, though, progress is largely on schedule as the five-year average is 2%.

Just 1% of the Missouri’s and North Carolina’s soybeans reached the setting pods stage. That’s ahead of normal for both; the five-year average in both states is 0%.