JOHN PERKINS
Brownfield Ag Network
U.S. corn and soybean condition ratings declined over the past week. That followed another round of generally hot and dry weather in some key U.S. growing areas.
The USDA says 55% of U.S. corn is in good to excellent shape as of Sunday, down 6% on the week, with 96% of the crop emerged, compared to the five-year average of 94%.
54% of the U.S. soybean crop is called good to excellent, a decrease of 5%, with 92% of beans emerged, compared to 81% on average.
38% of winter wheat is reported as good to excellent, unchanged from last week, and 94% has headed, compared to 93% on average, while 15% is harvested, compared to the usual rate of 20%.
51% of spring wheat is in good to excellent condition, a drop of 9%, with 98% emerged, a little faster than most years, and 10% harvested, matching the normal pace.
47% of cotton is rated good to excellent, 2% lower than the previous week, with 89% planted, 19% squaring, and 3% at the boll setting stage, all slower than average.
70% of rice is reportedly good to excellent, up 3%, with 99% emerged and 4% headed, both faster than normal.
44% of U.S. pastures and rangelands are in good to excellent condition, a week-to-week loss of 1%.
The USDA’s weekly crop progress and condition reports run through the end of November.