(NAFB.com) – Over a Quarter of U.S. Corn Crop is at dough stage according to the USDA’s Crop Progress report for the week ending July 27. 26% of the country’s corn crop is at the dough growth stage, with all 18 top-producing states reporting for the stage. Eight states are ahead of the national five-year average 24%, and 10 are below it. Here’s a closer look at the numbers. North Carolina leads the country in the percentage of corn at the dough growth stage, with 81% as of July 27. That’s an increase of 10 percentage points from the week prior and 16 points ahead of the state’s five-year average 65%. Texas has 76% of its corn crop at the dough stage. That’s only 2 percentage points ahead of the week prior, but 6 points ahead of the five-year average of 70%. With 59% of its corn at the dough growth stage, Tennessee ranks third among the states. The corn crop gained 16 points from the previous week but is only 3 points ahead of the state’s five-year average of 56%.