Despite weekend rains sweeping the northern Corn Belt, U.S. corn and soybean conditions sit at the second-lowest level of quality in history. The weekly, sizable declines in key areas of the Corn Belt from the stubborn drought situation come as the corn crop starts to enter a critical time for development.
According to USDA-NASS, corn condition ratings across the U.S. dropped to only 50% in good to excellent condition this week. The five-point decline in a week’s time means this year’s corn crop has only been rated worse one other time in history: 1988.
That’s also a change from last week, when both 1992 and 1988 held the record for lower ratings.
Heading into the weekend, farmers across key areas of the Corn Belt hoped for rain. Instead, the system stayed north, producing decent rainfall for parts of South Dakota, Iowa and northern Illinois. It wasn’t enough to save the corn crop, with more weekly drops in the following states:
Illinois: 26% good to excellent, down 10 points
Indiana: 47%, down 9 points
Iowa: 56%, down 3 pointes
Missouri: 31, down 12 points
Nebraska: 57%, down 2 points
South Dakota, 47%, down 1 point
It wasn’t all bad news when it comes to condition ratings. North Dakota’s corn ratings improved two points, now at 65% good to excellent.
Source: agweb.com
Photo Credit: gettyimages-kotenko-a
Categories: Nebraska, Crops, Corn, Soybeans