(Washington D.C.) U.S. corn and soybean crop conditions declined last week, according to USDA NASS’s weekly Crop Progress report released Monday.
Corn rated good to excellent fell 3 percentage points to 57%, the lowest late-August rating in three years. The poor-to-very-poor category rose to 17%. North Dakota posted the largest decline, with its poor-to-very-poor rating increasing 10 points.
Corn development remained ahead of normal. Dough stage reached 86%, dented reached 45% and 6% was mature.
Soybean conditions also slipped, with good-to-excellent ratings falling 1 point to 60%, the lowest August rating for this week in three years. Poor-to-very-poor ratings increased, with North Dakota again posting the largest state decline at 8 points.
Soybean pod-setting reached 91%, while 6% of the crop was dropping leaves, both ahead of last year’s pace and the five-year average.
Weather could bring some relief. Heavy rain is expected in parts of the Delta, while scattered showers will move through the Plains and western Midwest, followed by heavier rain later this week and next week.
