U.S. Corn Declines 2% to 55% GD/EX, Soy Declines 2% to 52%

The condition of the 2023 U.S. corn crop declined 2% last week to 55% rated good/excellent. Nine states indicated the condition had improved and 9 states indicated the condition had declined. Most of the improvements were found in the eastern and southern areas. Most of the declines were found in the western and northern areas. The top five rated corn states are: Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Ohio. The five lowest rated corn states are: Missouri, Illinois, Minnesota, Kansas, and Michigan.

Rains last week and over the weekend favored the eastern locations, which already had some of the best rated corn. The areas to watch for corn include Missouri, western Iowa, southwestern Minnesota, South Dakota, and North Dakota.

The condition of the 2023 U.S. soybean crop declined 2% last week to 52% rated good/excellent. Ten states indicated the condition had improved and 8 states indicated the condition had declined. Most of the improvements were found in the eastern and southern areas. Most of the declines were found in the western and northern areas. The top five rated soybean states are: Tennesse4e, Mississippi, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Kentucky. The five lowest rated soybean states are: Missouri, Illinois, North Dakota, Kansas, and Michigan.

The nation’s topsoil moisture declined last week with 5 states indicating improved topsoil moisture and 13 states indicating lower topsoil moisture. Most of the improvements were found in the eastern Corn Belt while most of the declines were found in the western and northern Corn Belt. The five states with the highest rated topsoil moisture are: Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Mississippi. The five states with the lowest rated topsoil moisture are: Missouri, Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, and Nebraska.

There is a definite east-west divide for the soil moisture. The best topsoil moisture is found in the eastern and southern areas, while the driest conditions are found in the western and northern areas. The topsoil moisture in Missouri is rated 76% short/very short, Minnesota is 69%, Iowa is 61%, North Dakota is 61%, and Nebraska is 51%.

The topsoil moisture topped out two weeks ago and it has been declining since then. With higher temperatures and increased water demand from the crops, a decline in topsoil moisture is typical for this time of the year. On average, the topsoil moisture generally declines until about the third week of August when it starts to slowly improve.

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