Jul 30, 2024
2024 U.S. Corn 68% Gd/Ex Up 1%, Soy 67% Gd/Ex Down 1%
Author: Michael Cordonnier/Soybean & Corn Advisor, Inc.
Corn - The condition of the 2024 U.S. corn crop improved 1% to 68% rated good/excellent. Ten states indicated that the corn condition improved last week, 7 states indicated that the corn condition declined last week, and 1 was unchanged. Most of the improvements were found in the central and eastern areas while most of the declines were found in the western areas. The top five rated corn states are: Pennsylvania, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, and Illinois. The five lowest rated corn states are: North Carolina, Texas, Colorado, Kansas, and Tennessee.
The weather during July generally cooperated with corn pollination which is now 77% complete. The corn has gotten through its most critical time generally in good condition. August will be the main grain filling period for corn and the weather may not be as cooperative as it was during July.
Soybeans - The condition of the 2024 U.S. soybean crop declined 1% to 67% rated good/excellent. Nine states indicated that the soybean condition improved last week, 8 states indicated that the soybean condition declined last week, and 1 was unchanged. Most of the improvements were found in the central and southern areas while most of the declines were found in the western areas The top five rated soybean states are: Iowa, Nebraska, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Illinois. The five lowest rated soybean states are: North Carolina, North Dakota, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Minnesota.
Soybeans are now entering their most critical period of setting pods and filling pods. The crop is entering August in generally good condition, but continued beneficial weather will be necessary to achieve top yields.
Soil Moisture - The nation's topsoil moisture declined last week with 7 states indicating improved soil moisture and 11 states indicating lower soil moisture. Most of the improvements were found in the southern areas while most of the declines were found across the Midwest. The five states with the highest soil moisture are: Minnesota, North Carolina, Louisiana, Wisconsin, and Illinois. The five states with the lowest soil moisture are: Ohio, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Arkansas.
Even with a decline in soil moisture last week, the soil moisture nationwide is still above the long-term average, but that may be at risk going forward. The forecast is calling for hotter and dryer conditions moving into the western Corn Belt. A short period of warmer and dryer weather would probably be beneficial for the crops in the western Corn Belt, but if those conditions would persist for more than about a week, it would turn into a negative.