Analysts were expecting to see crop ratings for soybeans fall a point when USDA released its latest crop progress report Monday afternoon, but the agency failed to comply with those expectations – adding a point instead. Analysts also anticipated corn quality ratings would hold steady, but they fell by a point this past week.
Through Sunday, 71% of this year’s corn crop is now rated in good-to-excellent condition, down from 72% a week ago. Another 21% is rated fair (steady from last week), with the remaining 8% rated poor or very poor (up a point from last week). Statewide ratings still vary widely. Colorado sits on the lower end of the quality spectrum (40% G/E), while Kentucky (87% G/E) now claims top “garden spot” status among the top 18 production states.
Physiologically, nearly all (97%) of the crop has reached the silking stage, which is mostly in line with the prior five-year average of 95%. More than half (59%) is now at dough stage, versus 39% a week ago and moderately ahead of the prior five-year average of 52%. Eleven percent of the crop is dented, which is slightly behind the prior five-year average of 12%, meantime.
Soybean quality ratings moved higher – bucking expectations – going from 73% rated in good-to-excellent condition up to 74% by August 9. Another 21% is rated fair (unchanged from last week), with the remaining 5% rated poor or very poor (down a point from last week). Louisiana (86%) and South Dakota (85%) have the highest quality ratings among the top 18 production states.
Crop maturity is progressing a bit faster than it has in recent years. Ninety-two percent of the crop is now blooming, versus the prior five-year average of 89%. And 75% of the crop is now setting pods, also besting the prior five-year average of 68%.
Spring wheat quality ratings took a spill, moving from 73% rated in good-to-excellent condition a week ago down to 69% this past week. Another 24% is rated fair (up two points from last week), with the remaining 7% rated poor or very poor (also up two points from last week). Harvest pace is progressing slower than usual, at 15% complete. The prior five-year average is 25%.
Winter wheat harvest is also slightly behind the prior five-year average of 95%, reaching 90% completion through Sunday. That is up from 85% a week ago and slightly ahead of 2019’s pace of 87%.
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