66% of U.S. wheat is in fair condition or worse

The United States Department of Agriculture released its final Crop Progress report of the growing season Tuesday 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. The report is typically released on Monday, but this week's was delayed due to USDA system outages. 

WHEAT

As of Nov, 27, 91% of winter wheat has emerged, slightly ahead of the five-year average of 90%. 

Winter wheat condition is rated 34% good/excellent, 2% higher than last week. Forty percent is rated fair. Twenty-six percent is rated poor/very poor. Last year at this time 44% was rated good/excellent.

TOP SOIL MOISTURE 

According to USDA, 50% of the top soil in the 48 continental states is short or very short of moisture. This is down from 53% the week before.

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 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.