With planting now wrapped up nationwide, corn emergence is nearing completion across much of the Corn Belt. Emergence in Indiana has progressed well, reaching 89%, up from 81% the previous week, although it is still slightly behind the five-year average of 94%. Meanwhile, states like Iowa (97%), Minnesota (98%), Nebraska (97%), and South Dakota (98%) are ahead of average, signaling a strong start to early crop development. As V3–V5 growth stages become more common, many growers are already applying sidedressing nitrogen, while others should prepare their equipment and monitor the weather for ideal application windows. Timely nitrogen management at these early vegetative stages will be critical to support uniform growth and optimize yield potential later in the season.
The USDA-NASS also released the corn condition ratings of the 2025 season, providing a snapshot of crop health across the country. In Indiana, 58% of the corn crop is rated in good condition and 9% in excellent condition, a solid start to the season as planting and emergence wrap up. Across the broader Corn Belt, several key states are showing strong early crop performance. Iowa leads with 63% rated good and 21% excellent, while Illinois reports 55% good and 15% excellent. Minnesota and Nebraska also show promising ratings, each with over 59% rated good or better. Nationwide, among the 18 reporting states, which represent 92% of the total corn acreage 59% of the crop is rated in good condition and 13% in excellent condition, with only 5% falling into poor or very poor categories. This early-season assessment suggests that, despite a wet and delayed start in some areas, the 2025 corn crop is off to a healthy and productive beginning.
