Jul 13, 2021
2021 U.S. Corn Rating Improves 1%, Soybeans Unchanged
Author: Michael Cordonnier/Soybean & Corn Advisor, Inc.
Corn - The condition of the 2021 U.S. corn crop improved 1% last week to 65% rated good to excellent. Eight states indicated that the corn condition had improved last week while 7 states indicated that the corn condition has declined, and 3 states were 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 five highest rated corn states are: Pennsylvania, Colorado, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and Nebraska. The five lowest rated corn states are: North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Missouri, and Illinois.
The corn rating improved slightly because of the recent rains, but more moisture is needed especially in the northwestern corn Belt. The corn has slowed down a little in its development probably due to the recent cool temperatures. The silking percentage is behind average, and the percent dough is average.
Soybeans - The condition of the 2021 U.S. soybean crop held steady last week at 59% rated good to excellent. Eleven states indicated that the soybean condition had improved last week while 7 states indicated that the conditions had declined last week. Most of the improvements were found in the eastern areas while most of the declines were in the central and western areas. The five highest rated soybean states are: Nebraska, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The five lowest rated soybean states are: North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Missouri, and Illinois.
The recent rains were good enough to stabilize the soybean condition, but more rain will be needed as the temperatures start to warm up. The soybeans are a little ahead of average in blooming and average for setting pods.
Soil Moisture - The nation's soil moisture improved last week with 14 states indicating improved soil moisture last week while 4 states indicated lower soil moisture. Most of the improvements were found across the Corn Belt while the declines were found in Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, and Mississippi. The five states with the highest soil moisture are: Wisconsin, Indiana, Missouri, Louisiana, and Ohio. The five states with the lowest soil moisture are: South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Arkansas, and Iowa.
The area where more rainfall is needed continues to be the northwestern Corn Belt where South Dakota is rated 82% short on moisture, Minnesota is 76% short, North Dakota is 75% short, and Iowa is 40% short. The rainfall this past weekend was disappointing in the northwestern Corn Belt and the area can ill afford to miss any chance of rain especially as the temperatures warm up.