News

61% of U.S. corn, 60% of soybeans rated good to excellent

The USDA’s good to excellent rating for corn held steady last week as soybeans improved slightly. That’s due to some much-needed rain falling in parched portions of the region, but more will be needed to stabilize yields and most forecasts have more hot, dry weather in much of the region this week. The USDA’s first official yield estimates of the season are out August 12^th.

As of Sunday, 61% of corn is rated good to excellent, with 80% of the crop silking, compared to the five-year average of 85%, and 26% at the dough making stage, compared to 31% on average.

60% of soybeans are called good to excellent, up 1%, with 79% blooming, compared to 80% on average, and 44% at the pod setting stage, compared to 51% normally in late July.

82% of the winter wheat crop is harvested, compared to the usual rate of 85%.

70% of spring wheat is in good to excellent condition, 2% higher, with 97% of the crop headed, compared to the five-year average of 99%.

38% of cotton is rated good to excellent, a gain of 4%, with 89% squaring, compared to 87% on average, and 58% setting bolls, compared to 50% typically this time of year.

73% of rice is in good to excellent shape, 2% lower, with 54% of the crop headed, compared to 59% on average.

25% of U.S. pastures and rangelands are reported as good to excellent, with 26% called fair, and 49% in poor to very poor condition.