US soybean, corn, spring wheat and barley crop conditions improved amid rainfall and milder temperatures in prime growing regions in the week ended August 13, the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) weekly crop progress update showed Monday, August 14.
Soybean crop
The report showed that 59% of the soybean crop was in good-to-excellent condition, up from 54% the prior week and 58% a year earlier.
The USDA said that 94% of the soybean crop was blooming, up from 90% a week earlier, the 92% level at the same point last year, and the five-year average of 92%.
The department noted that 78% of soybeans are in the setting pods stage, up from 66% a week earlier, 72% a year earlier and three percentage points above the five-year average.
The USDA reported that 59% of the corn crop was in good-to-excellent condition, up from 57% the prior week, and 57% during the same period in 2022.
Corn crop
Corn silking stood at 96% of the corn crop, up from 93% the prior week and a year earlier and identical to the five-year average.
The USDA said that 65% of the corn crop was at the dough stage, up from 47% a week earlier, 60% a year earlier and a five-year average of 63%.
Corn dented is reported at 18%, 10 percentage points above last week and above the 15% reported for last year and identical to the five-year average of 18%.
Wheat crop
Spring wheat conditions were listed as 42% in good-to-excellent condition, one percentage point higher than a week earlier and down 22 percentage points from a year earlier.
The USDA data showed 24% of the spring wheat crop is harvested, up from 11% a week earlier, 15% at the same point last year, but down from the five-year average of 28%.
The winter wheat harvest was 92% complete, up from 87% a week earlier, 89% at this point last year and identical to the five-year average of 92%.
Barley crop
The report showed that 54% of the barley crop was rated as in good-to-excellent condition, up from 50% the previous week and down from 58% a year earlier.
The department said 28% of the barley crop is harvested, which is up from 16% a week earlier, identical to 28% a year earlier and down from the five-year average of 33%.
Topsoil moisture conditions were described as 16% very short, 26% short, 52% adequate, and 6% surplus.
Conditions changed from the previous week when they were listed as 16% very short, 30% short, 49% adequate, and 5% surplus.
During the same time last year, conditions were noted as 21% very short, 29% short, 47% adequate, and 3% surplus.
Subsoil moisture conditions were rated as 16% very short, 30% short, 51% adequate, and 3% surplus in the week ended August 13, compared with 16% very short, 32% short, 49% adequate, and 3% surplus the prior week.
Conditions at the same point last year were 21% very short, 29% short, 48% adequate, and 2% surplus.
