Michigan farmers may be able to make the best of a bad situation if September’s weather is normal, according to Jim Collom, an agricultural statistician with the state’s field office of NASS.

“We’ve got to get some more rain and favorable temperatures,” he said. “We’ve seen a little (improvement in) crop conditions in corn and soybeans the last couple of weeks, thanks to the rain and cooler temperatures. For later-planted corn, the rain did help, but the crop is definitely not going to be a bin-buster. The rain has given soybean growers a lot more hope.”

Most of Michigan will see above-normal temperatures in September, along with an equal chance for above, below or normal precipitation, according to the National Weather Service’s (NWS) Climate Prediction Center.

The conditions of both the corn and soybean crops are worse than last year, the five-year average and during the 1988 drought, Collom said. Improvements in seed varieties may be one reason yields could stay above 1988 numbers even if the crop is in worse condition.

Fifty-two percent of the corn crop is rated fair to excellent, while 83 percent of dry beans and 65 percent of soybeans are rated in the same range, according to last week’s Michigan Crop Weather report from NASS.

Twenty-six percent of corn has dented, up from none at this time last year, NASS said. The five-year average is 15 percent. Two percent of the crop has matured, up from none last year. The five-year average is 1 percent.

For soybeans, 95 percent were setting pods, up from 84 percent last year. The five-year average is 87 percent. Two percent were turning leaves, up from none last year. The five-year average is 1 percent.

The dry bean crop is also ahead of schedule, as 100 percent had set pods, up from 93 percent last year. The five-year average is 82 percent. Four percent were turning leaves, up from none last year. The five-year average is 8 percent.

Despite scattered showers and moderate temperatures (the week of Aug. 13-19), Iowa crop conditions showed little change as farmers continued cutting hay, spraying crops and chopping corn for silage.

“The cooler temperatures and scattered rains have allowed crops to mostly maintain their condition and prevent further deterioration, for the most part,” said Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey.

“The entire state remains dry and in need of more rain, especially as the bean crop continues to set and fill pods.”

The Aug. 20 Iowa Crop & Weather report said 90 percent of corn had reached dough stage; 65 percent had reached the dent stage; and 13 percent was mature.

The report said pods are being set on 95 percent of soybeans, with 5 percent of fields turning color, and third-cutting alfalfa hay harvest at 93 percent complete, one month ahead of schedule.

“That means the time is now to prepare for harvest,” said Nick Benson, corn product specialist at Latham Hi-Tech Seeds in Alexander. “It’s going to be an early harvest – perhaps three to four weeks earlier than normal,” typically Sept. 17-27 in the Midwest.

As a result, Benson advised farmers to “be sure to adjust combine settings for drought conditions. The gap between snapping plates above the stalk rolls on a corn head should be adjusted this year.

“In normal years, a gap of 1.25 inches is used. Given the situation this year, however, that gap most likely should be narrowed to just over an inch to avoid butt shelling of smaller-diameter ears,” he said.

Farmers saw an early corn harvest and above-normal rainfall in parts of the Volunteer State for the week ending Aug. 19, according to NASS. In addition, the cotton started opening and early-planted soybeans began to shed leaves. All crops, with the exception of corn, which was maturing rapidly, were rated in fair to good condition.

Topsoil moisture levels were rated 7 percent very short, 19 percent short, 71 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were 16 percent very short, 33 percent short, 50 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. Temperatures last week averaged near normal across the state.

According to the NWS, Middle and West Tennessee had slightly above-normal rainfall amounts. East Tennessee had normal amounts and the Plateau received slightly below-normal levels.

“Corn harvest has begun in earnest this week. Earliest I can remember since working in Dyer County beginning in 1992. Hearing of yields ranging from 30 to 150 bushels per acre for dry land corn. Sounding like overall yields might average in 110 to 130 bushel range for 2012,” reported Tim Campbell, Dyer County agent.

“The farmers in Fayette County received a good and needed rain (Aug. 16). Earlier in the week temps cooled some. Corn is being harvested and yields are better than expected. Cotton is really starting to open. Beans look good and the recent rains/cooler weather has helped,” stated Jeffery Via, Fayette County agent.

“Getting some much needed rain to help fill pods on the soybeans. Plant bugs have been high in cotton fields this week. Corn harvest has begun, with some mixed reviews. It all depends on when the corn was planted and if it got the rainfalls. Yields in the county range from 40 to above 200 (bushels per acre),” reported agent Jake Mallard of Madison County.