USDA Downgrades Crop Conditions

USDA reports corn and soybean crop condition ratings dropped last week due to the impact of dry weather in some key growing areas. As of last week, 66% of the U.S. corn crop is rated good to excellent, down 6% on the week and 3% on the year, with less than half the crops in Indiana and Missouri now in good to excellent shape.

For soybeans, 60% is called good to excellent, 5% less than last week and 7% below this time last year with just 31% of Missouri’s crop in good to excellent shape, the lowest rating in the U.S., followed by Kansas at 44%, and Indiana at 45%. Ninety-seven percent of soybeans are planted, compared to 81% a year ago and the five year average of 85%. Ninety-two percent of winter wheat has headed, compared to 83% last year and 87% on average with 35% harvested, compared to 16% a year ago and 9% on average. Fifty-three percent of winter wheat is rated good to excellent, up 1% on the week and 18% above this time last year.

Fifteen percent of spring wheat is headed, with no comparison to last year and well above the five year average of 2%. Seventy-five percent of spring wheat is reported to be in good to excellent condition, 3% less than a week ago but 7% more than a year ago. Fourty-one percent of U.S. pastures and rangelands are in good to excellent condition, compared to 46% last week and 53% last year.