U.S. Corn Improved 2% to 57% GD/EX, Soy Improved 2% to 54%

The condition of the 2023 U.S. corn crop improved 2% last week to 57% rated good/excellent. Eleven states indicated the corn condition had improved, 6 states indicated the condition had declined, and 1 was unchanged. Most of the improvements were found in the central and western areas. Most of the declines were found in the northern and southern areas. The top five rated corn states are: Pennsylvania, Colorado, North Carolina, Ohio, and Kentucky. The five lowest rated corn states are: Missouri, Minnesota, Kansas, Michigan, and a tie between Illinois and Wisconsin.

Rainfall over the weekend favored the western, central, and southern areas and there is more rain in the forecast. Cooler temperatures will help extend soil moisture in the dryer areas. A lack of excessive heat either during the day or at night will help the grain filling process.

The condition of the 2023 U.S. soybean crop improved 2% last week to 54% rated good/excellent. Nine states indicated the soybean condition had improved, 7 states indicated the condition had declined, and 2 were unchanged. Most of the improvements were found in the central and western areas. Most of the declines were found in the northern and southern areas. The top five rated soybean states are: Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Ohio. The five lowest rated soybean states are: Missouri, Kansas, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Michigan.

Soybeans are still reported to be slow growing in the dryer areas, but the rainfall thus far in August has helped to shrink the areas most in need of rain. The weather thus far in August has been beneficial for the soybeans.

The nation’s topsoil moisture improved last week with 10 states indicating improved topsoil moisture, 7 states indicating lower topsoil moisture, and 1 unchanged. Most of the improvements were found in the central and northwestern areas. Most of the declines were found in the southern and northern areas. The five states with the highest rated topsoil moisture are: Tennessee, Michigan, Kentucky, Ohio, and Illinois. The five states with the lowest rated topsoil moisture are: Minnesota, Louisiana, Iowa, Mississippi, and North Dakota.

Rainfall picked up last week and over the weekend and there is more rain in the forecast. Rainfall amounts last week and over the weekend were generous across the western and central Corn Belt. There are still some dry pockets in Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota, and North Dakota but they have been shrinking.

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