News

57% of U.S. corn, 54% of soybeans good to excellent

The USDA’s good to excellent rating for corn held steady last week while soybean conditions declined slightly. Weather in the Midwest and Plains was mixed last week but could be stressful in most of the region this week with both crops in key development stages.

As of Sunday, 57% of U.S. corn is rated good to excellent, unchanged, with 68% of the crop silking at 16% at the dough making stage, both just ahead of the respective five-year averages.

54% of soybeans are good to excellent, down 1%, with 70% of the crop blooming at 31% at the pod setting stage, faster than average.

68% of winter wheat is harvested, slower than the normal pace of 77%.

49% of spring wheat is called good to excellent, 2% lower due to dry weather in the northern Plains, with 94% of the crop headed, compared to 93% typically in late July.

46% of the cotton crop is in good to excellent shape, 1% higher, with 78% squaring and 37% setting bolls, both behind the usual rates.

76% of rice is in good to excellent condition, a gain of 3%, and 47% has headed, compared to 40% on average.

60% of sorghum is reported as good to excellent, an increase of 2%, with 36% headed, compared to the five-year average of 37%, and 21% coloring, compared to 19% on average.

44% of U.S. pastures and rangelands are seen as good to excellent, 3% less than last week.

The USDA’s weekly crop progress and condition reports run through the end of November.