Crop Conditions
From corn fields flattened to grain bins ripped to shreds, the scene was stark after the derecho ravaged the heartland on August 10, 2020. One year later, crop potential is promising, but rebuilding is still underway.
According to the weekly USDA Crop Progress report, the national corn condition ratings are still trailing last year at this time, but it was USDA’s double digit increase to Illinois ratings that sparked questions.
During August, markets watchers will debate the possibilities of national yields. USDA’s gauge of crop conditions are posted every week, Pro Farmer says the condition ratings aren’t the best indication of yield.
July proved to be a scorcher in the West, but the weather story flipped to start August, with much of the eastern half of the country enjoying cooler and dryer air during the first few days of the month.
Brad and Lisa Dircks’ farm in Lowden, Iowa was flattened by the derecho last week. This week, scouts on the Pro Farmer Crop Tour will gauge the scope of damage, wading through fields across eastern Iowa.
USDA shows only 9% of the spring wheat crop is rated good to excellent. 66% is rated poor to very poor. USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey says you have to go back to 1988 to find a spring wheat crop rated this poor.
July rains calmed some concern about the corn crop this year, but between crop conditions, weather issues and other factors stirring in the markets, analysts say soybeans may still have a bullish story this summer.
As smoke covers much of the Midwest, it’s providing a layer of protection from high heat in areas like eastern North Dakota. One agronomist says some of the crops in the central and western parts are already fried.
In soybeans, look for white mold issues this week. Initial symptoms generally develop in the R3 to R6 production stages.
Farmers across South Dakota and eastern Iowa are breathing a sigh of relief into the weekend. That’s after rains hit parched crops, relieving some major crop stress for now.
Bean planting populations of 190,000 to 220,000 in washed out areas can help keep weeds from taking over.
As record heat continues to blast the West, the Northwest Cherry Growers said the heat will force some growers to abandon a portion of their crop due to the damage. It’s also forcing farm workers to harvest at night.
USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says unfavorable weather means everything from barley to spring and durum wheat are getting scorched this year. Crop condition ratings continue to tumble as dryness and heat persist.
Corn harvesting in Argentina advanced by 3.4 points to reach 56% of planted area, the Buenos Aires Grains Exchange said in a report on Thursday, keeping its crop estimate unchanged at 48 million tonnes for 2020/2021.
As June closed on a wetter note for portions of the Midwest, three agricultural meteorologists forecast July, indicating continued rains for the corn crop in some areas, but drastic drought areas growing even drier.
USDA’s weekly Crop Progress Report shows the U.S. corn crop is rated 64% good to excellent, the same as a week ago but off by 7 percentage points versus 2020. Soybean ratings nationally declined, but only by 1 point.
Wet weather forecasts across the Midwest caused commodity prices to tank Tuesday, with soybean oil and corn hitting the daily limits lower. Much of the Midwest is forecast to receive rain at key pollination time.
Rains continue to fall across portions of the Midwest this week, a sign one ag meteorologist says could mean Midwestern drought conditions have peaked. However, the news isn’t as promising for the northern Corn Belt.
Areas of the Corn Belt in need of moisture are finally seeing rain this week, but it came with severe crop damage to portions of Iowa after hail wiped out some farm fields this week.
The frigid air that blew through the northern Corn Belt last weekend left its mark on corn and soybean fields. From burnt leaf tissue to blotchy, curled leaves, Missy Bauer shares these tips to evaluate frost damage.
The Kansas Wheat Quality Council’s 2021 winter wheat tour wrapped up after making it’s way across the state. And the 2021 yield potential is high. Scouts uncovered the highest tour average on record going back to 2000.
Gated tile systems can help deal with troublesome issues.
Nationwide, USDA shows 72% of the corn crop is rated good to excellent, which is a 4 percentage point drop from last week. This week’s rating is also 3 points behind last year.
Drought conditions have lessened a bit in portions of North Dakota thanks to some rain, but frigid temperatures late last week and into the weekend also took its toll on crops across the upper Midwest.
The dire drought situation is one USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey thinks could last through at least the remainder of 2021. Forecasts also point to a drier weather pattern returning for Texas and the Plains.
The final days of May were soggy and cold for areas of the Plains, which was a sudden switch from the dryness headlining the weather year so far. The wet weather could dampen outlooks for winter wheat harvest in areas.
USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says northern Iowa saw the third latest freeze in history, only behind the years 1897 and 1947. The damage is now exposed in fields, with acres of no-till soybeans wiped out.
Even with rains hitting areas of the Plains and Corn Belt last week, U.S. corn planting progressed to 95% complete, a five-point bump in a week and three percentage points ahead of last year’s pace.
As drought conditions in the West are continuing to expand, hotter temperatures aren’t helping things. Heat that started building over the weekend is not good news for areas already dealing with that drought.
It’s a steady theme since USDA introduced corn crop condition ratings this year. The quality of the crop continues to decline, with corn dropping 4 points each week. Soybean conditions also fell.