U.S. corn condition falls to 61% as heat pressures crop

U.S. corn condition deteriorated for a second consecutive week as heat and uneven rainfall pressured crops across parts of the Corn Belt and Plains, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s latest Crop Progress report. As of Aug. 2, 61% of the corn crop was rated good to excellent, down 2 percentage points from the previous week and well below 73% a year earlier. Soybean conditions were unchanged at 63% good to excellent.

Crop development continued to run ahead of normal despite the decline in corn quality. About 90% of corn had silked, compared with the five-year average of 87%, while 43% had reached the dough stage, 5 percentage points ahead of average. Winter wheat harvest advanced to 86% complete, matching the five-year average and slightly exceeding last year’s pace. Spring wheat harvest reached 5%, compared with the five-year average of 8%, while 55% of the crop was rated good to excellent, up from 53% a week earlier. National cotton conditions weakened, with 42% rated good to excellent, down from 46% the previous week.

The deterioration in corn conditions could add uncertainty around fall fertilizer demand as growers reassess yield potential and post-harvest nutrient programs. Lower fertilizer prices may provide some incentive for early purchasing: U.S. retail fertilizer prices have fallen for seven consecutive weeks in late July, led by a 14% month-on-month drop in UAN32 to $461 per ton, while anhydrous ammonia fell 11% to $962 per ton.

Source: DTN