Corn
National corn condition was unchanged on the week, with 9 of the 18 states on the chart showing declines, including double-digit drops in Michigan and North Dakota. Those losses were largely offset by improvements across most of the major corn-producing states. The forecast remains wet over the next week as much of the Corn Belt moves through a critical period of crop development. Corn silking is now nearly complete nationwide, while corn in the dough stage reached 61%, and corn dented advanced to 16%, both running ahead of last year and the five-year average.
Soybeans
U.S. soybean condition slipped 1 point this week to 62% good-to-excellent. While several states posted gains, including Nebraska (+5), Michigan (+3), and North Carolina (+3), those improvements were offset by notable declines in North Dakota (-13), Minnesota (-3), and Mississippi (-3). National crop development continues to run ahead of normal, with soybean blooming at 93% and pod setting at 74%, compared to 90% and 69% a year ago, respectively.
Wheat
Spring wheat condition declined 4 points on the week, with every tracked state posting lower ratings except Idaho. Despite the recent deterioration, overall spring wheat conditions remain above the five-year average, though they continue to trail last year’s levels. Harvest progress is advancing steadily, with the U.S. spring wheat crop now 24% harvested. Meanwhile, winter wheat harvest continues to make progress in the Northwest, as Montana advanced 21% this week and Idaho 24% this week.
Cotton
U.S. cotton conditions declined again this week, falling 2 points nationally to 40% good-to-excellent, leaving it 7 points below the five-year average and 13 points below last year’s level at this time. The largest weekly decline came in Arizona, where conditions dropped 15 points, while additional losses were recorded in Kansas (-9), Texas (-4), Mississippi (-3), and Oklahoma (-2). Conditions remain especially poor across the Southern Plains, with both Texas and Oklahoma rated in our red category and well below their respective five-year averages. Persistent drought and heat have taken a significant toll on the crop.
Rice
U.S. rice condition was unchanged on the week at 71% good-to-excellent. State-level changes were mixed, with improvements in Arkansas (+2) and Missouri (+2) offset by declines in Mississippi (-2) and Texas (-2). Despite holding steady from last week, national rice condition remains below both last year’s 79% rating and the five-year average of 74%. Missouri continues to stand out with 87% of the crop rated good-to-excellent, well above both last year and its historical average. Meanwhile, rice harvest is beginning to accelerate, reaching 14% complete nationally, compared to 10% both last year and the five-year average.
Precipitation and Heat Forecast
Source: https://agweather.com/v3/wx_maps
Source: https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/
