Sep 14, 2021
U.S. Corn Down 1% to 58% Gd/Ex, Soy Unchanged at 57% Gd/Ex
Author: Michael Cordonnier/Soybean & Corn Advisor, Inc.
Corn - The condition of the 2021 U.S. corn crop declined 1% last week to 58% rated good to excellent. Six states indicated that the corn condition improved last week, 8 states indicated that the corn condition had declined, and 4 states were unchanged. Most of the improvements were found in the northern areas while most of the declines were found in the central Corn Belt. The top five rated corn states are: Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and Michigan. The five lowest rated corn states are: North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Kansas, and Colorado.
The corn is 37% mature, which is 6% ahead of the five-year average. The forecast of warmer and dryer weather should push along the corn maturity ahead of average, which is not the best way to maximize the yield potential.
Soybeans - The condition of the 2021 U.S. soybean crop held steady at 57% rated good to excellent. Twelve states indicated that the soybean condition improved last week, and 6 states indicated that the soybean condition had declined. Most of the improvements were found in the northern and southern areas while most of the declines were found in the central Corn Belt. The top five rated soybean states are: Indiana, Louisiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and a tie between Wisconsin and Mississippi. The five lowest rated soybean states are: North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Kansas, and Missouri.
The hotter and dryer conditions have accelerated the dropping of leaves. Thirty eight percent of the soybeans are dropping leaves which is 11% ahead of the five-year average. Nearly every major state in the Corn Belt is significantly ahead of average for soybeans dropping leaves. This quicken pace for leaf drop means there is less time to fill the pods which could result in a trimming of the yield potential.
Soil Moisture - The nation's topsoil got dryer last week with 1 state indicating improved soil moisture, 16 states indicating lower soil moisture, and 1 state unchanged. Michigan was the only state that reported improved soil moisture. All the remaining states indicated lower soil moisture. The five states with the highest soil moisture are: Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. The five states with the lowest soil moisture are South Dakota, Arkansas, North Dakota, Kansas, and Indiana.
Only one state, Michigan, indicated improved soil moisture last week. Given the forecast for this week, the nation's soil moisture will likely decline again next week. The soil moisture in some of the eastern states got noticeably dryer last week. The topsoil in Illinois is now rated 43% short to very short, Indiana is 47% short to very short, and Ohio is 40% short to very short.