2022 U.S. Corn Ratings Unchanged, Soybeans Decline 1%

Corn – The condition of the 2022 U.S. corn crop held steady last week at 64% rated good/excellent. Six states indicated that the corn condition had improved last week, 10 states indicated that the corn condition had declined, and 2 were unchanged. Most of the improvements were found in the eastern and western areas while most of the declines were found in the central areas. The top five rated corn states are: Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Pennsylvania. The five lowest rated corn states are: North Carolina, Texas, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana.

The weather last week was generally beneficial for the U.S. corn crop. Dryer weather is expected across the central Corn Belt this week with seasonal temperatures. Hotter and dryer weather is expected during the 6-15 day period especially in the western and southwestern Corn Belt. If the longer-range forecast verifies, stress on the corn will increase, especially in the western areas.

Soybeans – The condition of the 2022 U.S. soybean crop declined 1% last week to 62% rated good/excellent. Eleven states indicated that the soybean condition had improved last week while 7 states indicated that the soybean condition had declined. Most of the improvements were found in the northern and northwestern areas while most of the declines were found in the southern areas. The top five rated soybean states are: Louisiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana, and North Dakota. The five lowest rated soybean states are: Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Ohio, and Missouri.

The hotter and dryer long-range forecast is worrisome for the soybeans that will be entering their critical reproductive phase during the second half of July.

Soil Moisture – The nation’s topsoil moisture improved last week for the first time in four weeks. Eleven states indicated that the soil moisture had improved last week, 6 states indicated that the soil moisture declined, with one unchanged. Most of the improvements were found across the Corn Belt while most of the declines were found in the southern areas. The five states with the best soil moisture are: North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota, Ohio, and Iowa. The five states with the lowest soil moisture are: Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Michigan, and Louisiana.

The rainfall last week was beneficial for the crops, but the forecast is calling for less rain this week with increasing temperatures as the week progresses. The longer-range forecast is especially worrisome for the western and southwestern areas where moisture stress will increase during the second half of July.

Tags: corn, condition, weather, soybean, crop, U.S., soil moisture, topsoil moisture