Where Are the Best Soybeans in the Country Right Now?

In its latest Crop Progress report, the USDA rated 75% or more of the soybean crop in four of the top 18 soybean-growing states good/excellent.

The condition of the soybean crop in these four states stands well above the U.S. average. Nationwide, 66% of the soybean crop was rated good/excellent.

Take a look at the four states with the best soybeans for the week ending July 6.

Iowa

According to USDA, 79% of Iowa’s soybeans were rated good/excellent as of July 6, with 19% of that total representing excellent soybeans. Eighteen percent of the crop was rated fair, while 3% was rated poor/very poor.

“The majority of soybeans look good throughout my territory,” said Agronomist Logan Dinkla, whose coverage area includes much of west Iowa. He added a caveat: “Over the last week I have noticed more yellow spots showing up in fields due to excess moisture, iron deficiency chlorosis, and/or nutrient deficiencies.”

Progress

By the week ending July 6, 99% of Iowa’s soybeans had emerged, on track with the five-year average. Thirty-six percent had reached the blooming stage, just ahead of the five-year average of 35%. Finally, 9% of the crop reached the setting pods stage the week ending July 6, ahead of the five-year average of 4%.

“Most soybean fields are now fully canopied and really taking off,” said Eric Wilson, whose territory includes southern and northeast Iowa.

Western Iowa farmer Kelly Garrett said his soybeans are blooming. “No disease is present at all,” adding that his crop looks very healthy at this time.

Louisiana

USDA rated 87% of Louisiana’s crop good/excellent, the highest percentage of all top soybean-growing states. What’s more: Just 13% of the state’s crop was rated fair, and none was rated poor or very poor.

Progress

As of July 6, 100% of Louisiana’s soybeans had emerged, on track with the five-year average. Ninety-four percent had reached the blooming stage, ahead of the five-year average by 12 percentage points. Finally, 64% of the crop reached the setting pods stage the week ending July 6, ahead of the five-year average of 51%.

North Carolina

USDA reported that 80% of North Carolina’s soybeans were in good/excellent condition, and just 2% were rated poor/very poor. The rest were rated fair.

Progress

Ninety-six percent of North Carolina’s soybean crop had emerged by July 6, ahead of the five-year average of 90%. USDA said 34% of the crop had reached the blooming stage, ahead of the five-year average by 9 points, while 12% had reached the setting pods stage, ahead of the five-year average by 8 points.

Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, 75% of the soybean crop was rated good/excellent by USDA for the week ending July 6. As for the rest, 21% was rated fair, and 4% was rated poor/very poor.

“The crop generally looks good, and is looking better by the day as the fields begin to canopy,” said Wisconsin agronomist Nick Groth.

“A big issue in soybeans is there are still a lot of fields that need to be sprayed post,” Groth said. “Weather has delayed the timing of these post applications, and the challenge now will be controlling waterhemp that has gotten pretty big over the last few weeks.”

Progress

As of the week ending July 6, 99% of Wisconsin’s soybeans had emerged, on track with the five-year average. Twenty-nine percent had reached the blooming stage, just ahead of the five-year average of 27%. Finally, 1% of the crop reached the setting pods stage the week ending July 6, just shy of the five-year average of 2%.