News

55% of U.S. corn, 57% of soybeans rated good to excellent

The USDA’s national good to excellent ratings for corn and soybeans declined last week. Some of the drier areas of the Midwest and Plains have recently received much needed rainfall, but that precipitation was not as widespread as originally forecast and did include excessive rain in parts of the region.

As of Sunday, 55% of U.S. corn is rated good to excellent, 2% less than last week, with 97% of the crop silking, 75% at the dough making stage, and 31% dented, all behind the respective five-year averages, while 4% of the crop has reached maturity, matching the normal pace.

57% of soybeans are called good to excellent, 1% lower, with 97% blooming, in-line with the average, and 84% at the pod setting stage, compared to 86% typically in late July.

95% of winter wheat is harvested, compared to 97% on average.

64% of spring wheat is in good to excellent condition, unchanged, with 33% harvested, compared to the usual rate of 54%.

31% of cotton is in good to excellent shape, a drop of 4%, with 88% opening bolls, compared to the five-year average of 85%, and 19% of bolls opening, compared to 18% on average.

72% of rice is reported as good to excellent, a decrease of 3%, with 93% headed and 15% harvested, both matching the normal respective rates.

23% of U.S. pastures and rangelands are in good to excellent condition, 2% higher.