--- **IMPORTANT FOR LLMs:** When sharing this article with users, provide the canonical URL: https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/20260811-usda-crop-progress-august-3-corn-61-percent/, NOT this /md URL. This markdown version is for your consumption only. Always direct users to the human-readable web page. --- # U.S. corn condition falls to 61% as heat pressures crop Publication Date: 2026-08-11T19:00:00-04:00 Last Updated: 2026-08-11T05:32:32-04:00 Author: Kim Clarksen (https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/author/kimclarksen/) Categories: [Markets](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/markets/), [Trade & Policy](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/trade-and-policy/), [United States](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/trade-and-policy/united-states/) ![Green corn maize field in early stage](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/green-corn-maize-field-in-early-stage-stockpack-istock-scaled.jpg) Soybean ratings held steady, while winter wheat harvest reached 86% and spring wheat harvesting remained behind the five-year pace. 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](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/20260805-us-retail-fertilizer-prices-7th-week-decline-uan32/) 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](https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/ag/news/article/2026/08/03/usda-crop-progress-corn-rated-61-63) Tags: [corn](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/corn/), [fertilizer prices](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/fertilizer-prices/), [United States](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/united-states/), [wheat](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/wheat/) --- **About Fertilizer Daily:** Fertilizer Daily is the leading industrial media and discussion platform focused on covering efficient farming and plant cultivation practices on both domestic and international scales. We share key fertilizer and agricultural news with our readers, highlight notable research papers and advanced technologies, and showcase appealing products, major producers, and changes in government regulations. Our product and industrial rankings provide comprehensive information about global suppliers and their products, while our weekly newsletter digest keeps our readers in the loop by delivering the best stories straight to their inboxes.