Corn
National corn condition ratings slipped 1 point this week to 60% good-to-excellent, reflecting a mixed pattern across major producing states. Notable declines were seen in Colorado (-8 points), North Dakota (-6), Indiana (-5), Kansas (-5), and Minnesota (-5), while Kentucky (+5), North Dakota (+6), Ohio (+4), and Nebraska (+2) posted improvements. Despite some late-season stress concerns, strong ratings in states such as Pennsylvania (89%), Tennessee (80%), Iowa (78%), and Nebraska (74%) continue to support the overall national crop outlook. Recent excessive rainfall across parts of the eastern Corn Belt, including areas from Iowa through Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and into Pennsylvania, likely contributed to localized condition losses and raised concerns about lodging, disease pressure, and quality risks as crops move toward maturity. USDA also released the season’s first corn maturity rating, with 4% of the U.S. crop reported mature, ahead of both last year’s 2% and the 5-year average of 1%. Meanwhile, 76% of the crop has reached the dough stage, up sharply from 61% last week and ahead of both last year (70%) and the 5-year average (71%).
Soybeans
National soybean condition ratings slipped 1 point this week to 61% good-to-excellent, matching the 5-year average, but trailing last year’s 68%. Condition declines were concentrated across parts of the western and eastern Corn Belt, including South Dakota (-6 points), Kansas (-5), Louisiana (-5), Michigan (-5), and Minnesota (-5). Despite those setbacks, Iowa remained one of the brightest spots at 78% good-to-excellent, while Tennessee improved to 76%. The recent stretch of excessive rainfall across portions of the eastern Midwest and Ohio Valley may have contributed to localized condition losses as saturated soils, disease pressure, and storm damage created concerns.
Soybean development continues to run ahead of normal. USDA reported 96% of the crop blooming, compared to 94% last year and 95% on average, while 85% of soybeans are setting pods, well ahead of both last year’s 80% and the 5-year average of 80%. The accelerated pace has kept the crop ahead of normal throughout much of the season and positions many fields for an early finish. However, pod fill is still underway, leaving yield potential highly dependent on weather through the remainder of August and early September.
Wheat
Spring wheat conditions improved 1 point this week to 52% good-to-excellent, though ratings remain below the 5-year average of 56%. Minnesota continues to stand out with 91% of the crop rated good-to-excellent, while Idaho saw the largest weekly improvement, rising 7 points to 69%. Conditions remain more challenged across the Dakotas, with North Dakota at 44% and South Dakota at 42%, reflecting the mixed production outlook across the Northern Plains. Spring wheat harvest advanced rapidly, jumping 17 points to 41% complete, compared to 33% last year and the 5-year average of 34%. Winter wheat harvest is nearing completion at 96% harvested, up from 93% last year and slightly ahead of the 5-year average of 94%, with only a handful of northern and western states still wrapping up fieldwork.
Cotton
U.S. cotton conditions continue to slide, with the national good-to-excellent rating falling to 38%, well below 55% last year and the 46% 5-year average. Much of the decline has been driven by worsening conditions across the Southwest, particularly in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, as the hot dry weather continues to affect the crop. USDA reported 74% of cotton setting bolls and 14% of bolls opening, both close to historical averages. However, the sharp deterioration in crop ratings over the past several weeks remains a key concern for cotton production prospects.
Rice
U.S. rice conditions slipped 1 point this week to 70% good-to-excellent, remaining below both 79% last year and the 74% 5-year average. Texas posted the largest weekly decline, falling 7 points to 53% good-to-excellent, while Mississippi dropped 4 points to just 39%. In contrast, California and Missouri continue to report some of the strongest rice conditions in the country at 85% good-to-excellent. Rice harvest advanced to 20% complete, up from 14% last week and ahead of both 16% last year and the 5-year average of 15%.
Precipitation and Heat Forecast
Source: https://agweather.com/v3/wx_maps
