News
National crop ratings mostly steady as harvest rolls
The USDA’s national corn and soybean condition ratings mostly held steady while harvest for most crops is ahead of normal.
Last week saw mixed weather for the Midwest and Plains, which included some unseasonably warm and wet conditions in key corn and soybean growing states.
As of Sunday, 59% of U.S. corn is in good to excellent shape, even on the week and 3% below last year, with 88% of the crop mature, compared to 85% a year ago, and harvest is nearly 30% complete, 7% ahead of the five-year average.
58% of soybeans are called good to excellent, even with last week but 6% under last year, with 86 percent of the crop dropping leaves, 3% ahead of last year. Soybean harvest has passed one third complete, 8% ahead of the five-year average.
62% of the cotton crop is rated good to excellent, 3% lower on the week but up 22% on the year, with three quarters of the crop’s bolls opening, and 4% of cotton harvested compared to 2% a year ago.
73% of rice is harvest, 4% ahead of last year but behind the five-year average.
47% of winter wheat is planted, 3% behind last year.
23% of U.S. pastures and rangelands are called good to excellent, steady with last week and 3% below last year.
The USDA’s next set of supply and demand estimates is out October 12th.
