(Radio Iowa) – The development of the corn and soybean crops continues to be ahead of past years. The U-S-D-A crop report says 35 percent of the corn is at or beyond the silking stage of development– which is eight days ahead of last year and two days ahead of the five-year average. The report says 58 percent of the soybeans are blooming — which is two weeks ahead of last year and two days ahead of the five-year average.

Around ten percent of the beans have set pods — which is also two weeks ahead of last year. Both the corn and bean crops each are rated 83 percent in good to excellent condition.