USDA says corn conditions ratings are improving across the country.
According to the weekly USDA Crop Progress report, the agency says national corn condition ratings are still trailing last year at this time. USDA’s latest report shows 64% of the corn crop is rated good to excellent, which compares to the 71% good to excellent rating USDA posted the same time last year. However, the 64% rating this week is a two-point jump from last week’s report.
The most recent crop report didn’t come without controversy, as USDA made major revisions to Illinois’ crop ratings, which analysts said wasn’t typical for this late in the growing season. The weekly report shows the Illinois corn crop ratings jumped 11 points in a week, now sitting at 79% good to excellent. Soybean conditions across the state saw a 12 point jump, with 78% of the crop now rated good to excellent.
Arlan Suderman, of StoneX Group, verified the numbers with USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) on Twitter Monday, asking if NASS was confident in the sudden ratings spike. The crops branch chief for NASS confirmed the numbers were correct, saying the weekly numbers aren’t as important as the direction of the condition ratings each week, as well as the comparisons over time. However, Suderman said the timing was suspicious, as USDA is set to release its updated crop production forecast this week, which could include revisions to national crop yields.
I am confirming that based on the reports this week that is correct. I’ve always cautioned against getting too focused on one week’s rating or the particular number. Look at direction and comparisons over time. LH
— National Agricultural Statistics Service (@usda_nass) August 9, 2021
Also of note this week, August 10, 2021, marks the one-year anniversary of the derecho that impacted an estimated 6 million acres in Iowa.
This week’s crop conditions report shows that the state’s corn crop condition ratings are trailing last year’s conditions just before the derecho hit. USDA says as of August 8, 2021, 61% of the crop is rated good to excellent. That compares to 69% good to excellent as of August 9, 2020, which was the day before the derecho blew across the state.
