The condition of the US corn crop eased for the second week in a row, with an estimated 3% of the nationwide crop now mature. Meanwhile, the condition of the American soybean crop held steady from a week earlier.
Monday’s USDA crop progress report showed 71% of the national corn crop in good to excellent condition as of Sunday, down 1 point from a week earlier but still 4 points above last year. The 1-point week over week decline was in line with market expectations.
At 68% good to excellent, the condition of the American soybean crop was unchanged from a week earlier and on par with last year.
The condition of the Illinois and Indiana corn crops was unchanged on the week at 63% good to excellent, while Iowa was steady at 86%. The Michigan corn crop declined 3 points to 48% good to excellent, while Ohio was unchanged at 55% and North Dakota 2 points lower at 63%.
For soybeans, the Illinois soybean crop gained 3 points on the week to improve to 60% good to excellent as of Sunday, while Indiana was steady at 63% and Iowa 1 point higher at 82%. The Michigan soy crop was rated 56% good to excellent, up 3 points from a week earlier, with Ohio down 2 points at 56% and North Dakota up 1 point at 61%.
The national soybean crop was 82% podding as of Sunday, up 11 points on the week, 2 points ahead of last year and identical to a year ago. The crop was 95% blooming, versus 91% a week earlier, 94% last year and 95% on average.
At 3%, US corn crop maturity as of Sunday was 1 point behind last year but on par with average. An estimated 27% of the corn crop had reached the dough stage, versus 14% a week earlier, 28% last year and 26% on average. Almost three quarters (72%) of the crop was at the dough stage as of Sunday, up from 58% the previous week and near 72% last year and 73% on average.
