Aug 15, 2017
2017 U.S. Corn Condition up 2%, Soybean Condition down 1%
Author: Michael Cordonnier/Soybean & Corn Advisor, Inc.
Corn - The condition of the 2017 U.S. corn crop improved 2% last week to 62% rated good to excellent. Nine states indicated that the corn condition had improved last week and 6 states indicated that the corn condition had declined last week with 3 states unchanged. Most of the improvements were found in the northern Corn Belt while most of the declines were found in the central and eastern Corn Belt. The top five rated corn states are: Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Minnesota, and Kentucky. The five lowest rated corn states are: South Dakota, North Dakota, Kansas, Indiana, and Michigan.
As of Sunday, Iowa was the driest state and fortunately they received some rain over the past few days and there is more rainfall is in the forecast for later this week.
Soybeans - The condition of the 2017 U.S. soybean crop declined 1% last week to 59% rated good to excellent. Eight states indicated that the soybean condition had improved last week while 8 states indicated that the soybean condition had declined last week and 2 states were unchanged. Most of the improvements were found in the northern and eastern Corn Belt while most of the declines were found in the central and southern Corn Belt. The top five rated soybean states are: Tennessee, Louisiana, Wisconsin, Mississippi, and a tie between Minnesota and Kentucky. The five lowest rated soybean states are: South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, Kansas, and Michigan.
The soybean condition declined 1% last week, but given the improved chances of rainfall later this week, the soybean condition could improve slightly next Monday.
Soil Moisture - The nation's soil moisture improved slightly last week with 11 states indicating improved soil moisture while 7 states indicating lower soil moisture. Most of the improvements were found in the southern and northern Corn Belt while most of the declines were found in the central and eastern Corn Belt. The five states with the highest soil moisture are: Mississippi, Louisiana, Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Ohio. The five states with the lowest soil moisture are: Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota, Michigan, and Nebraska.
The soil moisture has improved slightly for the second week in a row, and given the wetter forecast for later this week, maybe the nationwide soil moisture bottomed out two weeks ago. The cooler temperatures have helped to hold down the water demand of the crops, which has helped to extend the available soil moisture supplies.