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USDA corn rating down on week, soybeans hold

There were minimal changes to most of the USDA’s crop condition ratings over the past week as key U.S. growing areas saw a wide range of weather, from continued drought in some areas, to welcome rain in others, in addition to reports of hail and flooding.

As of Sunday, 64% of U.S. corn is rated good to excellent, down 1% on the week and 9% on the year, with 4% of the crop silking, compared to the five-year average of 6%.

60% of soybeans are in good to excellent shape, unchanged but 11% under a year ago, with 96% of the crop emerged, compared to 92% on average, and 14% blooming, compared to the normal rate of 11%.

48% of winter wheat is called good to excellent, 1% less than last week and 4% under last year, with 33% of the crop harvested, compared to 40% on average.

Just 20% of spring wheat is in good to excellent condition, a week to week loss of 7% and 49% below a year ago, with 48% of the crop headed, compared to 39% usually in late June.

52% of cotton is rated good to excellent, steady with last week and up 11% from this time last year, with 32% squaring, compared to the five-year average of 34%, and 7% setting bolls, compared to 8% on average.

73% of rice is reported as good to excellent, 1% lower than both a week ago and a year ago, with 8% of the crop headed, compared to the usual pace of 12%.

31% of U.S. pastures and rangelands are called good to excellent, a decrease of 1% on the week and 11% on the year.

The USDA’s 2021 planted area totals are out Wednesday.