USA: corn, soybeans, and winter wheat conditions little changed

Winter wheat harvest is running slightly behind the normal pace.

Just as rain and a cold front are entering the western Corn Belt Tuesday, USDA’s weekly Crop Progress report, delayed a day by the July Fourth holiday, shows the condition of corn, soybeans and winter wheat little changed from one week earlier, with spring wheat continuing to deteriorate.

Corn

In its report, the USDA pegged the U.S. corn good/excellent rating at 64%. That’s the same as last week, with 1% shifting from the good to excellent category. A tenth of the corn crop is silking—behind the five-year average of 14%.

Soybeans

USDA’s condition estimate for soybean puts 59% of the crop in the good/excellent categories, down just 1% from a week ago. An estimated 29% of soybeans are blooming, ahead of the five year average of 24%. Only 3% are setting pods.

Wheat

In its report Tuesday, the USDA rated the U.S. spring crop at only 16% good/excellent, down from 20% last week and far below the 70% rating for last year’s crop..

The U.S. winter wheat crop is rated as 47% good/excellent, vs. 48% a week ago; 45% of the crop is already harvested, behind the five-year average of 53%.

Crop progress and condition estimates are based on survey data collected each week from early April through the end of November, according to the USDA report. “The non-probability crop progress and condition surveys include input from approximately 3,600 respondents whose occupations provide them opportunities to make visual observations and frequently bring them in contact with farmers in their counties. Based on standard definitions, these respondents subjectively estimate the progress of crops through various stages of development, as well as the progress of producer activities. They also provide subjective evaluations of crop conditions,” the USDA stated in its Monday report.

Most respondents complete their questionnaires on Friday or early Monday morning and submit them to the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) field offices in their states by mail, telephone, fax, email, or through a secured internet website. A small number of reports are completed on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. Regardless of when questionnaires are completed, respondents are asked to report for the entire week ending on Sunday, according to the report.

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Tags: corn, soybeans, wheat, USA, conditions