News

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

The USDA’s good to excellent ratings for U.S. corn and soybeans improved slightly over the past week. That followed a cooler, wetter weather pattern that brought much needed rainfall and less stressful temperatures to some key U.S. growing areas.

As of Sunday, 57% of U.S. corn is in good to excellent shape, up 2% on the week, with 93% of the crop silking, 47% at the dough making stage, and 8% dented, all close to the respective five-year averages.

54% of soybeans are rated good to excellent, 2% higher than a week ago, with 90% blooming and 66% at the pod setting stage, both slightly faster than normal.

41% of spring wheat is called good to excellent, 1% lower, with 11% harvested, compared to 14% on average.

87% of winter wheat is harvested, compared to 88% typically this time of year.

41% of cotton is in good to excellent condition, unchanged, with 92% squaring, 63% setting bolls, and 8% of those bolls opening, all near usual.

61% of the rice crop is called good to excellent, steady, with 74% headed and 9% harvested, both just ahead of their average paces.

57% of the sorghum crop is reported as good to excellent, 2% more than last week, with 59% headed and 26% coloring, close to their respective usual rates.

38% of U.S. pastures and rangelands are rated good to excellent, down 2%.

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