Jul 23, 2019
2019 U.S. Crop Conditions Steady to Slightly Lower
Author: Michael Cordonnier/Soybean & Corn Advisor, Inc.
Corn - The condition rating of the 2019 U.S. corn crop declined 1% to 57% rated good to excellent. Eight states indicated that the corn condition improved last week while 8 states indicated that the corn condition declined last week and 2 states were unchanged. Most of the improvements were found in the central and southern Corn Belt while most of the declines were found in the eastern and northern Corn Belt. The top five rated corn states are: Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Nebraska, and North Dakota. The five lowest rated corn states are: Missouri, North Carolina, Indiana, Ohio, and a tie between Illinois and Michigan.
The corn condition normally declines this time of the year due to dryer conditions. The corn condition declined last week due to dryer conditions, but also due to some wetter conditions as well.
Soybeans - The condition rating for the 2019 U.S. soybean crop held steady at 54% rated good to excellent. Eight states indicated that the soybean condition improved last week while 8 states indicated that the soybean condition declined last week and two states were unchanged. Most of the improvements were found in the central and southern Corn Belt while most of the declines were found in the eastern and northern Corn Belt as well as the Delta. The top five rated soybean states are: Tennessee, Nebraska, Kentucky, Wisconsin, and a tie between North Dakota and Iowa. The five lowest rated soybean states are: Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, Illinois, and Michigan.
The soybeans as well as the corn continue to be very delayed in their development, which poses a risk from frost on the back-end.
Soil Moisture - The nation's topsoil continued to dry out last week with 8 states indicating improved soil moisture and 9 states indicating declining soil moisture with 1 state unchanged. Most of the improved conditions were found in the western and northern Corn Belt while most of the dryer conditions were found in the eastern Corn Belt and the Delta. The five wettest states are: Mississippi, Louisiana, Minnesota, South Dakota, and a tie between Wisconsin and Kansas. The five driest states are: Indiana, North Carolina, Illinois, Iowa, and Michigan.
The rainfall last week was generally more than what had been forecasted. Even with the better than expected rains, the soil moisture continued to dry out. The forecast for this week is calling for seasonal temperatures with limited rainfall. If the forecast verifies, the soil moisture should continue to decline in next week's report.