Corn condition drops for fourth straight week

The USDA released its 22nd Crop Progress report of the growing season Monday afternoon. These reports run weekly through the end of November and look at the progress and condition of various crops on a national and state-by-state scale.

CORN

As of August 26, 86% of the U.S. corn crop has reached the dough stage, compared to the five-year average of 88%.

Forty-six percent has reached the dented stage, compared with the five-year average of 52%. 

Eight percent is mature, 1% shy of the five-year average. 

In the top 18 corn growing states, crop condition was rated 54% good/excellent, a 1% drop from last week.

Nineteen percent was rated poor/very poor, which is up 1% from last week.

SOYBEANS

USDA’s report noted soybeans setting pods are at 91% across the top 18 soybean growing states. The five-year average for this point in the season is 92%.

Four percent are dropping leave, behind the five-year average of 7%. 

Soybean crop condition was rated 57% good/excellent, reflecting no change from last week. Soybeans rated poor/very poor also stayed the same at 13%.

WHEAT

Spring wheat is 50% harvested in the top six producing states, 21% behind the five-year average. 

Spring wheat crop condition was rated 68% good/excellent, up 4% from last week. Only 6% was rated poor/very poor, down 2% from last week. 

About the report: Crop progress and condition estimates are based on survey data collected each week from early April through the end of November, according to the USDA. The non-probability crop progress and condition surveys include input from approximately 3,600 respondents whose occupations provide them opportunities to make visual observations and frequently bring them in contact with farmers in their counties. Most respondents complete the questionnaire on Friday or early Monday morning and submit them to the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) field offices in their states by mail, telephone, fax, email, or through a secured internet website. A small number of reports are completed on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. Regardless of when questionnaires are completed, respondents are asked to report for the entire week ending on Sunday, according to the Crop Progress Report.