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USDA’s Crop Progress report has nothing good to say
Story Date: 7/31/2012
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Source: Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE, 7/31/12
USDA reported 57 percent of the nation’s pastures were in poor or very poor condition in the week ended July 29, compared to 55 percent a week ago and 36 percent at this time last year.
It rated just 17 percent of U.S. pastures in good or very good condition, down from 18 percent a week ago and compared to 41 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 48 percent from 45 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 24 percent from 26 percent a week ago and 62 percent at this time last year.
Already 37 percent of the crop has advanced to the dough stage, up from 22 percent a week ago and compared to the five-year average of just 17 percent at this time of year.
Soybeans
U.S. soybean fields also continued to show signs of stress. USDA rated 37 percent of the soybean crop in major producing states in poor or very poor condition, up from 35 percent a week ago and compared to just 12 percent at this time last year.
The agency reduced its estimate of soybean fields in good or excellent condition to 29 percent from 31 percent a week ago and 60 percent at this time last year.
Already 55 percent of the soybean crop has advanced to the critical pod-setting stage, up from 36 percent a week ago. The five-year average for this time of year is just 35 percent.
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