Earlier this season, Wisconsin faced some of the worst weather in the major U.S. corn growing states, as a cool, wet spring delayed planting. While the summer started out colder and wetter than normal, the weather has improved during the last few weeks.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Wisconsin Crop Progress and Condition report, 76 percent of the Wisconsin corn crop is currently rated as good to excellent. Overall, corn is silking in 22 percent of the state. Soil moisture is also high, thanks to abundant rains.

The rains do, however, mean farmers have fewer days suitable for fieldwork. Suitable days averaged 5.7 the week of July 21 compared to 6.4 days the same week last year.

David Adams, a farmer in southeastern Wisconsin, noted that the biggest difference in this year’s crop was the range of different corn growing stages.

“The thing that is unusual about this season is that the development of corn on my farm is so spread out,” Adams said. “I have everything from knee-high to tasseling corn.”

Adams said he does not expect the variation will hurt his yield, as there is still plenty of time left in the season.

Despite early challenges, Wisconsin corn is moving along. Improving weather in July means that the corn crop is beginning to develop and catch up to some other areas. Overall, these factors will not affect the high-quality that international buyers expect from U.S. corn.