Crop Ratings Down As Farmers Battle Heat, Wind And Hail

USDA’s corn and soybean ratings are down again this week amidst extreme weather events across the country.

Corn and Soybean Condition - 06-16-2024 - WEB.jpg
Corn and Soybean Condition - 06-16-2024 - WEB.jpg
(Lindsey Pound)

As this season’s corn and soybeans emerge, they’re being met with a wide variety of extreme weather events. And according to this week’s USDA report, the conditions of both crops are trending down.

The amount of corn currently in good or excellent condition is 72% (down from 74% last week), while the crop in poor or fair condition is 27% (up from 25%). Soybeans saw a similar trend with 70% in good or excellent condition (down from 72% last week) and 29% in poor or fair condition (up from 27%).

For farmers in South Dakota and Minnesota, this is the result of serious flooding.

Unfortunately, those same crops may be drying out for a bit too long during the peak of the growing season.

A bit further south, the crops in Nebraska have seen massive hail.

And strong winds in Illinois led to a surprise in this corn field.

Many meteorologists are predicting more challenges ahead as extreme heat sets in across the country.

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