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Crop conditions deteriorate
Story Date: 7/24/2012
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Source: Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE, 7/24/12
USDA reported 55 percent of the nation’s pastures were in poor or very poor condition in the week ended July 22, compared to 54 percent a week ago and 33 percent at this time last year.
It rated just 18 percent of U.S. pastures in good or very good condition, unchanged from a week ago and compared to 44 percent at this time last year.
Corn
In its weekly Crop Progress report, USDA increased its estimate of corn fields in poor or very poor condition to 45 percent from 38 percent a week before and just 14 percent this time last year. The agency reduced its estimate of cornfields in good or excellent condition to 26 percent from 31 percent a week ago and 62 percent at this time last year.
At the same time, 86 percent of the U.S. corn crop in the top producing states entered the critical “silking” stage this past week, up from 71 percent a week ago and compared to the five-year average of 59 percent at this time of year. Corn also advanced to 22 percent in the dough stage, up from 12 percent a week ago and just 9 percent a year ago.
Soybeans
U.S. soybean fields also continue to show signs of stress. USDA rated 35 percent of the soybean crop in major producing states in poor or very poor condition, up from 30 percent a week ago and compared to just 11 percent at this time last year.
The agency reduced its estimate of soybean fields in good or excellent condition to 31 percent from 34 percent a week ago and 62 percent at this time last year.
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