As of the week ending July 27, 26% of the U.S. corn crop has reached the dough stage, according to the latest USDA Crop Progress data. That figure is slightly ahead of the national five-year average of 24%. But state-level dynamics reveal sharper contrasts, with eight states ahead and ten behind the seasonal benchmark.

States Ahead of Average: Ohio, North Carolina, Texas Lead

Ohio
Ohio matched Nebraska at 20% dough stage, but with a 14-point gain from the previous week, the Buckeye State is now 8 percentage points ahead of its five-year average. The uptick highlights improving field conditions and rapid development.

North Carolina
Leading the country in dough stage progress, North Carolina reached 81%, up 10 points week-over-week and 16 points over its average of 65%.

Texas
With 76% of its corn at dough stage, Texas remains strong. Though weekly gains slowed to just 2 points, the state is 6 points ahead of its 70% five-year average.

Tennessee
Tennessee corn reached 59%, up 16 points in one week and slightly ahead of its average of 56%.

Missouri
Missouri corn is 48% at dough, edging past its 47% average. A 13-point week-over-week rise helped push it above the benchmark.

Kentucky
Kentucky posted 41%, up 18 points in a week and 12 points above its five-year average of 29%.

Kansas
Corn in Kansas hit 36%, up from 24% last week. It's modestly ahead of the 34% average.

Illinois
At 35%, Illinois corn jumped 20 points and now sits 8 points over its typical pace.

Iowa
Just behind Illinois, Iowa is at 34%, having gained 16 points week-over-week. It leads its five-year average by 8 points as well.

States Lagging Behind Average

Colorado
Reporting dough stage for the first time this season, Colorado showed just 2%, which is 4 points behind average.

North Dakota
North Dakota marked its first dough stage reading at 3%, 1 point above its low five-year average of 2%.

Pennsylvania
At 7%, Pennsylvania rose 5 points in a week and outperformed its average by 4 points.

Minnesota
Minnesota's 8% dough stage is 9 points behind its average of 17%, despite a 6-point weekly jump.

South Dakota
South Dakota reached 9%, up from 3% last week but still 4 points below the 13% average.

Wisconsin
Corn in Wisconsin hit 10%, an 8-point weekly gain and 2 points above average.

Michigan
Michigan's crop is 17% at dough, up 12 points and 9 points ahead of average.

Indiana
At 19%, Indiana lags slightly behind its five-year average of 20%, with a 10-point weekly increase.

Nebraska
Nebraska also stands at 20%, gaining 10 points, but still 3 points below its 23% average.

Looking Ahead: Crop Conditions and Regional Weather Key

While national averages look solid, disease pressures like southern rust in Iowa and tar spot in Missouri could shift state-level conditions in coming weeks. Weather patterns-particularly moisture trends and heat stress-will remain decisive as more corn enters reproductive stages and yield potential solidifies.