Corn and soybean crops in the U.S., the world’s biggest grower and exporter, are in good or excellent condition and may produce above-average yields this year, according to a survey of five Midwest states by SGS SA. Crops are growing rapidly with above-normal temperatures, rain and abundant soil moisture from Brookings, South Dakota, to Carlyle, Illinois, SGS Crop Services said today in a report to clients. Most of the corn has already pollinated, a growth stage that determines the number of viable kernels, while pest and disease damage has been light, the researcher said. “Early corn is reaching the point where wet, dry or hot conditions have a decreasing affect on yield,” Geneva-based SGS said in the report. “Growers are optimistic and are expecting average to better-than-average yields.” Too much rain in eastern Iowa has slowed application of crop-protection chemicals, and soil moisture is declining near Rockville, Indiana, SGS said in its biweekly report. The researcher said it will publish forecasts of the U.S. corn and soybean harvests in early August, before the U.S. Department of Agriculture issues its first production estimates based on field and farmer surveys on Aug. 12. To contact the reporter on this story: Jeff Wilson in Chicago at jwilson29@bloomberg.net.

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