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It’s official: USDA says half the U.S. corn crop is poor or very poor
Story Date: 8/7/2012
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Source: Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE, 8/7/12
USDA reported 59 percent of the nation’s pastures were in poor or very poor condition in the week ended Aug 5, compared to 57 percent a week ago and 38 percent at this time last year.
It rated just 16 percent of U.S. pastures in good or very good condition, down from 17 percent a week ago and compared to 39 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 50 percent from 48 percent a week before and just 16 percent this time last year. The agency reduced its estimate of cornfields in good or excellent condition to 23 percent from 24 percent a week ago and 610 percent at this time last year.
Soybeans
U.S. soybean fields also continued to show signs of stress. USDA rated 39 percent of the soybean crop in major producing states in poor or very poor condition, up from 37 percent a week ago and compared to just 13 percent at this time last year.
The agency maintained its estimate of soybean fields in good or excellent condition at 29 percent, compared to 61 percent at this time last year.
Already 71 percent of the soybean crop has advanced to the critical pod-setting stage, up from 55 percent a week ago. The five-year average for this time of year is 53 percent.
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