USDA is reporting that as of July 21, the condition of both corn and soybeans slipped slightly.

As corn nears its pollination stage, the next 10 days are considered critical to this year’s harvest. According to USDA, at 43%, corn silking is slightly behind the 5-year average of 56%. Despite lagging the average, silking is only 13% behind vs. 19% last week.

Overall, the ag agency reported yesterday that 63% of the corn crop is in “good” or “excellent” condition, 3% worse than last week’s report of 66%, but far better than last year’s 26%.

USDA also reported 64% of the soybean crop is in “good” or “excellent” condition vs. last week’s report of 65% and last year’s 31%. About 46% of the soybean crop is blooming, behind the 59% pace averaged over the last five years and last year’s 78%.