News

69% of U.S. corn, 67% of soybeans good to excellent

National condition ratings for corn and soybeans fell over the past week. That followed a widely mixed week of weather in the Midwest and Plains, including heavy rainfall and flooding in some northern areas and mostly hot, dry weather to the south and east.

The USDA says 69% of the crop is in good to excellent shape, 3% less than last week, with 97% emerged and 4% silking, both ahead of the respective five-year averages.

67% of soybeans are called good to excellent, 3% below a week ago, with 97% planted, 90% emerged, and 8% blooming, all faster than average.

52% of U.S. winter wheat is in good to excellent condition, 3% higher, with 97% headed and 40% harvested, up from the normal rates.

71% of spring wheat is reported as good to excellent, a drop of 5%, with 18% of the crop headed, matching the average.

56% of the cotton crop is said to be good to excellent, a gain of 2%, and 94% is planted, slower than usual, while 30% is squaring and 8% is setting bolls, faster than normal.

83% of cotton is rated good to excellent, unchanged, and 13% has headed, compared to the five-year average of 8%.

61% of sorghum is in good to excellent condition, an increase of 3%, with 90% planted and 17% headed, both close to the typical rates.

47% of U.S. pastures and rangelands are good to excellent, 1% lower.

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