Where Is the Best-Rated Corn in the Country Right Now?

In Tuesday’s Crop Progress report, USDA included the first round of corn condition ratings for the nation’s top 18 corn-growing states. For five of them, more than 75% of the corn crop was rated good/excellent as of the week ending May 25. 

Here’s a closer look at which states made the list. 

North Carolina

The corn in North Carolina is the best in the country, according to USDA’s latest Crop Progress report.

As of the week that ended May 25, 85% of the state’s corn crop was rated good/excellent. Looking a bit closer at the numbers, North Carolina had the second-highest percentage of good corn and the fourth-highest percentage of excellent corn across top states. 

Overall, North Carolina’s corn was rated 2% very poor, 3% poor, 10% fair, 68% good, and 17% excellent.

By May 25, 96% of North Carolina’s corn had been planted and 93% had emerged.

Iowa

For the week that ended May 25, USDA rated 83% of Iowa’s corn good/excellent. The Hawkeye State was one of four top growing states that had no corn rated very poor. It also had the most corn rated excellent.

Overall, USDA rated Iowa corn as follows: 0% very poor, 2% poor, 15% fair, 62% good, and 21% excellent.

By May 25, 95% of Iowa’s corn had been planted and 76% had emerged.

Kentucky

With 79% good/excellent corn, Kentucky took spot No. 3 for states with the most corn rated good or excellent. 

Notably, only 1% of the state’s corn rated less than fair. Overall, corn in Kentucky rated 0% very poor, 1% poor, 20% fair, 66% good, and 13% excellent.

By May 25, 70% of Kentucky’s corn had been planted and 55% had emerged.

Pennsylvania

USDA rated 77% of Pennsylvania’s corn good/excellent. Overall, the state’s corn was rated 0% very poor, 2% poor, 21% fair, 58% good, and 19% excellent.

By May 25, 51% of Pennsylvania’s corn had been planted and 26% had emerged.

Missouri

According to USDA, 76% of Missouri’s corn rated good/excellent. The Show-Me State showed up with the highest percentage of corn rated good across all 18 top growing states.  

Overall, USDA rated Missouri’s corn 0% very poor, 4% poor, 20% fair, 69% good, and 7% excellent. 

By May 25, 94% of Missouri’s corn had been planted and 78% had emerged.