2023 U.S. Corn Condition 61% Good/Excellent, Soybeans 59%

The 2023 U.S. corn condition declined 3% last week to 61% rated good/excellent. Three states indicated that the corn condition improved last week while 13 states indicated that the corn condition declined and two were unchanged. Most of the improvements were found in the southern areas while most of the declines were found across the Corn Belt. The top five rated corn states are: Colorado, Texas, North Dakota, North Carolina, and Minnesota. The five lowest rated corn states are: Pennsylvania, Michigan, Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana.

Last week was generally dry across most of the central and eastern Corn Belt resulting in lower ratings. The corn is now rated significantly below the long-term average for this date (see graph). There was some rain over the weekend, especially in the western areas which should provide limited relief, but not enough to change the overall pattern.

The 2023 U.S. soybean condition declined 3% last week to 59% rated good/excellent. Three states indicated that the soybean condition improved last week while 14 states indicated that the soybean condition declined and one was unchanged. Most of the improvements were found in the Delta while most of the declines were found across the Corn Belt. The top five rated soybean states are: Louisiana, Mississippi, Minnesota, Kentucky, and North Carolina. The five lowest rated soybean states are: Michigan, Missouri, Illinois, Nebraska, and Indiana.

The soybean rating also declined due to generally dry conditions across much of the Corn Belt last week. The weekend rains were limited and will only provide a temporary reprieve. The cooler temperatures will help to temporarily reduce the moisture stress.

The nation’s topsoil moisture declined last week with 5 states indicating improved topsoil moisture, 14 states indicating lower topsoil moisture and 1 unchanged. Most of the improvements were found in the southern and western areas while most of the declines were found in central and eastern areas. The five states with the best topsoil moisture are: Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Kansas. The five states with the lowest topsoil moisture are: Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana.

It came as no surprise that the topsoil moisture declined last week. Last Thursday’s Drought Monitor indicated that 45% of the 2023 U.S. corn is in drought and that 39% of the soybean acreage is in drought. Rain is expected to be limited across most of the Corn Belt this week and there does not appear to be enough to break the overall dryer-than-normal pattern.

Tags: corn, condition, soybean, drought, U.S., topsoil moisture