News

65% of U.S. corn, soybeans rated good to excellent

U.S. corn and soybean development remains at or ahead of normal. While that follows another week of mixed, but generally favorable, weather in much of the Midwest and Plains, there are some concerns that dry weather in parts of the region could trim yields.

The USDA says 90% of corn is at the dough making stage, 60% has dented, and 19% has reached maturity, with 65% of the crop in good to excellent condition, unchanged on the week.

94% of soybeans are at the pod setting stage and 13% are dropping leaves, both faster than the respective five-year averages, with 65% in good to excellent shape, a decline of 2% on the week.

70% of spring wheat is harvested, matching the average.

2% of winter wheat is planted, in-line with the standard for early September.

95% of cotton is setting bolls and 37% of those bolls are opening, ahead of normal, and 44% of the crop good to excellent, up 4% from the previous week.

45% of U.S. rice is harvested, well ahead of the typical rate, with 75% of the crop called good to excellent, 2% lower than the week before.

95% of sorghum has headed, 62% is coloring, and 30% is mature, all faster than average, while 19% is harvested, slightly behind most years, with 50% of the crop rated good to excellent, an increase of 2%.

28% of U.S. pastures and range lands are good to excellent, 2% less than the prior week.

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